s, and "Yours, Ralph," in business scrawls at the
bottom. But this was different. It was on small note paper to begin
with, much more carefully written than usual, and contained no address
whatever, simply starting off with what the writer had to say, and only
filling three pages.

There was one particular place where Kat's eyes lingered, and where she
smiled, very slowly, as though it was something not to be enjoyed fully,
all at once; and we will look right over her shoulder and read it as
she does again and again:--

"The time is up now, and I am coming, if you say for me to. Will
you? All my work has been done with the hope that you would let
me come and share my success, whatever it might be, with you. It
has been my one thought, and greatest incentive since I learned
to know, and love you, as I did in the old days, when we
skirmished and were gay, together. To-day, when I saw my name
added as junior partner, to the finest law firm in our city, I
thought of you, and felt more willing and proud to offer you
that name. If you bid me come, I will do so; the walk out to
Raymond's is short, and shall I meet you on the road!

"RALPH."

Should he meet her on the road? I've no way of telling you, I'm sure,
for her answer is written and gone, and I, like you, will have to wait
and see.

The white pony and basket buggy draws nearer, it comes through the gate
and up the drive, and as Kat watches it, some one comes to her side and
looks out also.

"They've been a dreadful long ride," says the new-comer, with an
impatient relief, as she leans against the window.

"Yes," answered Kat, with a little start, just realizing the fact.

"I think it's very funny," Pansy continued, with a truly puzzled air.
"When we was here before, papa always said to me, 'come, Pansy, let's go
take Miss Kittie to ride,' and now he never does; he goes off all alone
by hisself, and takes her."

"Is it possible!" said Kat with an air of interest.

"Yes, 'tis; an' he does a lot of funny things. Once when we was to New
York, I wanted a penny, and he said to get it in his pocket, an' there
wasn't one penny there, but all the pretty letters Miss Kittie had
writed to me for my own. I thought 'twas so funny, but he said they were
safer there, than in my box, an' I better leave 'm, so I did."

"Very strange," said Kat, with a solemn shake of her head.

"I'll guess I'll go down and ask him what for h