becoming. I only wish I could see myself as others will see me on
Monday night, and know just how I am going to look. Ruth," she added,
suddenly, as if inspired with a bright idea, "you are about my height;
suppose you put on the dress and let me get just the effect; that is, if
you are not too tired and do not mind being made a show figure, here all
by ourselves."

Mona smiled slightly over the woman's vanity, but she was willing to
oblige, and so signified her readiness to put the dress on, and in less
than ten minutes she had metamorphosed herself from the quiet, retiring
sewing-girl into a brilliant society belle.

The dress was a trifle loose for her, yet it was not a bad fit, while her
pure neck and arms were as white as the costly lace, which fell in soft
folds over them.

Mrs. Montague marveled at the exquisite fairness of her skin, and told
herself that she had never realized, until that moment, how very
beautiful her young seamstress was.

"You must put everything on, even to the jewels that I shall wear," she
said, bringing a large case from one of her trunks, and exhibiting an
almost childish eagerness to get the full effect of her costume.

She opened the case, and taking a diamond necklace of great beauty and
value from it, clasped it about the girl's milk-white neck. Then she
fastened some fine solitaires in her small ears; three or four pins, each
having a blazing stone for its head, were tucked amid the glossy braids
of her hair, and two glittering snakes were wound about her beautifully
rounded arms.

"Now for the fan, and you will be complete," cried Mrs. Montague, as she
brought an exquisite affair composed of white ostrich tips, with a bird
of Paradise nestling in its center, and handed it to Mona.

Then she stood off to admire the _tout ensemble_, and just at that moment
there came a tap upon her door.

She went immediately to open it, and found her nephew standing outside.

"I've come for the money, Aunt Margie," he said. "I thought I'd better
have it to-night, since I am going to town on the early train, and did
not like to disturb you in the morning."

"Very well, I will get it for you, and I hope that Madame Millaise will
have the mantle ready for you, for I must have it on Monday evening to
throw over my shoulders after dancing," Mrs. Montague responded, as she
turned back to get her purse.

She was on the point of closing the door, for she did not care to have
her nephew know wha