ke warning:
You must leave this company at once. If you do not do so, I will not
answer for myself. Do not make it an excuse that you have no money.
Here!" and with the word she flung a bill in her face. "The depot is to
your right. Go there, and take the first train back to the city whence
you came. Go, I say, while yet I can keep my wrath in check."

Jessie stood there for a moment like one stupefied. She tried to explain
how it had happened, but her companion would not listen and walked away.

As one lost, Jessie wandered to the depot, where a policeman, noticing
her distress, drew her story from her. He said he knew of a most
respectable old woman who was looking for a companion and wrote her name
and address on a piece of paper for Jessie. The policeman readily
consented to allow her to remain in the station until morning. It was a
long and weary wait and at eight o'clock Jessie went to the house to
which the policeman had directed her.

A pompous footman conducted her to a spacious drawing-room, and placed a
seat for her.

After a long and dreary wait which seemed hours to Jessie, though in
reality it was not over twenty minutes, she heard the rustle of a
woman's dress. An instant later, a little white, shrivelled hand, loaded
with jewels pushed aside the satin _portieres_, and an old lady appeared
on the threshold.

Jessie rose hesitatingly from her seat with a little courtesy.

"You came in answer to my advertisement for a companion?" the little old
lady began.

"Yes, madame," returned Jessie.

"Where were you in service last?"

"I have never had a position of the kind before," said Jessie,
hesitatingly, "but if you would try me, madame, I would do my very best
to suit you."

"Speak a little louder," said the old lady, sharply. "I am a trifle hard
of hearing. Mind, just a trifle, I can not quite hear you."

Jessie repeated in a louder tone what she had said.

"Your appearance suits me exactly," returned Mrs. Bassett; "but I could
not take a person into my household who is an entire stranger, and who
has no references to offer to assure me of her respectability."

Jessie's eyes filled with tears.

"I am so sorry," she faltered; "but as I am a stranger in Albany, there
is no one here to whom I could apply for a reference."

"I like your face very much indeed," repeated Mrs. Bassett, more to
herself than to the girl; then, turning to her suddenly, she asked:
"Where are you from--where's your home