s generally the objective point
for the poor and friendless in search of employment.

The journey to the great metropolis was a long one. They reached there
just as the sun was sinking.

The first thing to be thought of was shelter. Inquiring in the drug
store opposite the depot, she found that there was a small
boarding-house down the first cross-street.

Jessie soon found the street and number to which she had been directed.
A pleasant-faced maid opened the door. She was immediately shown into
the parlor, and a brisk, bustling little woman soon put in an
appearance.

She looked curiously at the two pretty young girls when she learned
their errand.

"This is a theatrical boarding-place," she said, "and all of our rooms
are full save two, and they are to be occupied on the twentieth. You
might have them up to that time, I suppose," she added, unwilling to let
the chance of making a few extra dollars go by her. "Or perhaps you and
your sister could make the smaller one do for both."

"We could indeed!" eagerly assented Jessie.

She had noticed that the woman had called Margaret Moore her sister, and
she said to herself that perhaps it would be as well to let it go at
that, as it would certainly save much explanation.

And then again, if the landlady knew that her companion had lost her
reason, she would never allow them to stay there over night, no matter
how harmless she might be.

Jessie started out bright and early the next morning to search for
employment, cautioning Margaret over and over again not to quit the
room, and to answer no questions that might be put to her. After the
first day's experience, she returned, heartsick and discouraged, to the
boarding-house.

"Didn't find anything to do, eh?" remarked the landlady,
sympathetically, as she met her at the door.

"No," said Jessie; "but I hope to meet with better luck to-morrow."

"Why don't you try to get on the stage," said Mrs. Tracy, patting the
girl's shoulder. "You are young, and, to tell you the truth, you've an
uncommonly pretty face."

"The stage?" echoed Jessie. "Why, I was never on the stage in all my
life. What could I do on the stage?"

"You would make your fortune," declared the woman, "if you were clever.
And there's your sister, too, she is almost as pretty as yourself. She'd
like it, I am sure."

At that moment a woman who was passing hurriedly through the dimly
lighted hall stopped short.

"What is this I hear, Mrs. Tracy?"