continued Mr. Dering, appreciating
the caress, knowing how rare they were for any body from Olive. "I see
she is just as careful of home expenses as though she knew it all, and
I do not want to give her the added trouble until I see that I cannot
fight my way through, and that it must be known."

"Papa, isn't there some other way that I can help you?"

"My noble little girl, no, the load is already too heavy for your young
shoulders; but, I do so warmly appreciate your womanly interest, and
your desire to help is precious indeed, while you see how great a help
it is to me."

Olive was smiling happily, even while her heart was filled with anxiety
and many thoughts; so they sat there for some time in silence, then
there came a tap on the door, and a sepulchral voice through the
keyhole:

"If you don't want the whole family to come swarming over the transom,
you'd better come out and tell us what that tremendous secret is. Speak
quick, a single word."

"Shovels!" shouted Mr. Dering, implicitly obeying the threatening
command.

"Very good; you may live, providing you come out immediately and give me
a dime to buy some butter-scotch," returned the voice.

"The request betrays the speaker," laughed Mr. Dering as he stood up and
unlocked the door. "Clear out, you begging Kat; you always----"

"Hurrah," cried the beggar shrilly. "Can't tell us apart yet; there's
Kat on the stairs; now, whenever we demand it, you have to give us a
dime a piece; fine, you know."

"Yes; I know, you mercenary little monkeys; come in the sitting-room if
you want to hear our secret."

Kittie and Kat rushed promptly in, and Mr. Dering spoke, indicating
Olive by a wide flourish.

"Ladies and gentlemen--I suppose I must represent the gentlemen:--Let me
introduce you to my future book-keeper and business confidante."

Olive lifted her eyes, as he bowed again, and first saw her mother's
face so happy and pleased, then Ernestine's so full of something that
was almost ridicule, and in an instant, without looking farther, her own
darkened, and withdrawing her hand, she walked over to her accustomed
corner, thinking bitterly, while they all commented and applauded.

"There! now every one but mama, thinks I'm a fool, and they needn't be
saying, 'how splendid' and 'oh! Olive,' for didn't Ernestine look as if
she wanted to laugh, and as if she would be ashamed of me if I worked,
even in papa's store. But I don't care what any of them say or thin