he replied rather huskily. 'I'll come. What time the morn?'

'What time can you be ready? It is quite the same to me when I go. I
have nothing to do.'

'Well, I can be ready ony time efter twelve; but, I say, what if, when I
come back, they've gi'en my wark to somebody else? That's certain; ye
should see the crood waitin' for it--fechtin' for it almost like wild
cats.'

Gladys shivered, and heavy tears gathered in her eyes as she rose from
her chair.

'Never mind that. It will be my concern--that is, if you are willing to
trust me?'

Teen rose also, and for a moment their eyes met in a steady look. 'Yes,'
she said, 'I trust ye, though I dinna, for the life o' me, ken what ye
mean.'

There was no demonstration of gratitude on the part of the little
seamstress; Gladys even felt a trifle chilled and disheartened thinking
of her after she had left the house. But the gratitude was there. That
still, cold, self-constrained heart, being awakened to life, never slept
again. Both lived to bless that bleak November day when the first
compact had been made between them.

From the city Gladys went by car to Kelvinside, and walked up to
Bellairs Crescent. Habit is very strong; not yet could the girl, so long
used to the strictest and most meagre economies, bear to indulge
herself in small luxuries. The need of the world was always with her.
She thought always of the many to whom such small sums meant riches. She
was not expected at Bellairs Crescent, and she found her friends
entertaining at afternoon tea. Some one was singing when she reached the
drawing-room door, and when the song was over, she slipped in,
surprised, and a little taken aback, to see so many people in the room.
A number of them were known to her; there had been many pleasant
gatherings at Troon in the summer, and, as was natural, Miss Graham of
Bourhill, with her interesting personality and her romantic history, had
received a great deal of attention from the Fordyces' large circle of
friends. The warmth of the greeting accorded to her made the lovely
colour flush high in her cheek, and her eyes sparkle with added
brilliance.

'Yes, I came up only at noon. I have been in the city since then,' she
replied, in answer to many questions. 'Oh, how do you do, Mr. Fordyce? I
did not expect to see you.'

'Nor I you,' said George Fordyce impressively. 'I was dragged here by
Julia against my will, and this is the reward of fraternal virtue.'

It was a daring s