even yet begun."

"You'll be played out before the game is," said her father.

"Oh, daddy, I'm 'fraid that's slang! I am truly 'fraid so!"

"Well, mind now, Puss; you're not to tire yourself too much. Remember
when you 'most worked yourself to death, at your Commencement
celebration."

"Yes, but I've had a lot of experience since that. And I'm much weller
and stronger."

"Yes, you're well; but you're not of a very strong constitution, and
never will be. So remember, and don't overdo."

"Not I. I can earn fifteen dollars a week, and more too, I know, without
overdoing myself."

"Good-by, then; I must be off. I'll hear to-night the report of your
first day's work."

The family separated, and Patty ran singing away to make her preparations
for the campaign.

"What _are_ you doing?" asked Nan, as she went rummaging in the linen
closet.

"Nothing naughty," replied Patty, giggling. "Curb your curiosity,
stepmothery, for it won't be gratified."

Nan laughed and went away, and Patty proceeded to select certain very
pretty embroidered doilies and centrepieces,--two of each.

These she laid carefully in a flat box, which she tied up into a neat
parcel. Then she put on her plainest cloth suit, and a small, dark hat,
and was ready to start.

"Nan," she said, looking in at the library door, "what time do you want
the motor?"

"Oh, about eleven or twelve. Keep it as long as you like."

"It's only ten now. I'll be back in less than an hour, I'm sure.
Good-by."

"Good-by," returned Nan. "Good luck to you!"

She thought Patty's scheme ridiculous, but harmless, for she knew the
girl well enough to know she wouldn't do anything that might lead her
into an unpleasant position; but she feared that her boundless enthusiasm
would urge her on beyond the bounds of her nervous strength.

Though soundly healthy, Patty was high-strung, and stopped at no amount
of exertion to attain a desired end. More than once this nervous energy
of hers had caused physical collapse, which was what Nan feared for her
now.

But Patty feared nothing for herself, and going out to the waiting
motor-car, she gave the chauffeur an address down in the lower part of
Broadway.

It was so unusual, that Miller hesitated a moment and then said,
deferentially: "This is 'way downtown, Miss Patty; are you sure the
number is right?"

"Yes; that's all right," she returned, smiling; "go ahead."

So he went ahead, and after a long ride southward, the