se," insisted Josie. "Of course you must
serve because you are interested and I'll serve too just to keep you in
countenance."

"I think this lady wishes to speak with you, Dr. Weston."

The old man had been so full of his news that he had for the moment
overlooked the other occupants of his office. He now turned courteously
to the woman who stood up as though she had about finished her business
and was ready to leave.

"If you are the manager then I can go," she asserted. "I want to leave
these two children with you."

"Not so fast, madam!" said Dr. Weston. "We don't take little children
offhand this way. We must find out who they are, why they are here, who
is placing them here, all about their parentage--many things, in fact.
I shall ask you to be seated, madam, for a few moments while I conduct
these young ladies to the board, which is now in session."

The woman resumed her seat, a sullen expression on her handsome face.
Dr. Weston drew the girls into the parlor, carefully closed the door
and then, with a graceful little speech, courtly and kindly, he
presented the new members.

"We think it is splendid that you will give the house to us," said one
to Mary Louise, who was smiling happily.

"When can we get in?" asked another.

"Immediately!"

"We can't afford to move," spake the treasurer.

"Well, we can't afford to stay here, either," snapped Mrs. Wright.
"We'll just raise the money by hook or crook."

"I--I--will give some money along with the house," faltered Mary
Louise. "It isn't very much, but if $50,000 would help any I can give
that much."

The board was not noted for its sense of humor, but even it realized
how absurd it was for this slip of a girl to be so modest with her
fifty thousand dollars, and was it enough? The board burst into
laughter. Dr. Weston looked as though he might burst with pride and
happiness.

"To whom must I make the check?" asked Mary Louise simply, as though
making checks for fifty thousand dollars was no more than paying one's
gas bill.

"To the treasurer," answered the president, with a gasp.

"No, no, not to me! I would be afraid to carry around such a check."
But the treasurer was overruled and Mary Louise proceeded to make out a
check there and then. Her fortune had been left to her in cash owing to
her grandfather's being unbalanced many months before his death and
having converted all of his securities into gold, which he had hid
away.

"I'll have the d