Day after day her heart
cried out in rebellion against her lonely bitter lot; night after night
her pillow was wet with scalding tears, as for hours she lay weeping for
the love that she had lost.

She began to realize at last that her health was suffering from such
constant grieving, and that she must find something to occupy her time
more fully and take her thoughts from herself, or she would soon break
down beneath such severe mental strain.

It was after a day of unusual depression and sadness that she took up the
evening paper and began carelessly to glance over the columns.

Suddenly her eyes lighted upon an advertisement.

It stated that a well-known publishing house of that city offered a prize
of three hundred dollars for the most unique and tasteful design for a
Christmas souvenir. It described what was required, mentioned the
conditions of its acceptance, and the time when the designs of all
competitors must be delivered.

Virgie was interested at once.

"Why, cannot I do something of that kind?" she murmured "Papa used to say
that I was remarkably skillful in making pen-and-ink sketches, and why
should I not turn, my talent to some account? If I should succeed it would
not only give me something with which to occupy my time, but perhaps
enable me to earn for the future; my money is not going to last so very
long, in spite of all Chi Lu's economy."

The idea pleased her, and she set about putting it into practice at once.

During the next three months she applied herself diligently and as she
worked she became deeply interested in her occupation. Almost immediately
there was a change for the better in her health and general appearance Her
eye brightened, the lassitude that pervaded her movements disappeared and
something of her old energy returned to her.

She wasted no more time in useless brooding and pining; less tears were
shed at night, for, wearied with her close application to her work during
the day, sleep stole her senses and wrapped her in healthful rest.

At the time appointed for all competitors to send in their designs, Virgie
was ready to subject her work to criticism.

She had made three designs, each differing in style and character from the
others, but all so attractive that she felt almost sure they would bring
her some return, even if she was not the fortunate winner of the prize.

Besides these, she had been hard at work upon an idea of her own, which
she intended to show the