the box. Accustomed as she was to beautiful jewels, she
could only gasp. Within it was a magnificent pearl necklace,
beautifully graded, with colour matching to perfection.

"A trifle!" she repeated. "Father, it's beautiful!" She wanted to
throw her arms around his neck, to kiss him for his bountiful gift, but
something in his manner checked her, so she stifled the impulse and
contented herself with holding up her face. Mr. Stanton kissed her
coldly and Helene drew back. It was an instinctive repulsion and she
could not help showing it; he, on his part, appeared not to notice it.

"I will inquire into the matter of your letters being tampered with,"
he said, "although I am confident that you will find that you are
labouring under some mistake. Joles is as honest as the day. What
could be his motive?"

Helene was silent. Her father did not pursue the subject.

"The Crugers are coming to-day," he said finally.

"Indeed?" said Helene, somewhat surprised. "Beverly is coming, I
believe; but I did not know his father and mother were."

"I informed the Crugers that I had returned to town, and that I should
be very pleased to see them this afternoon. I told them it was your
birthday and--" He paused, saying in a more decided tone:

"It is my intention to urge an immediate marriage, Helene." He spoke
with an effort. "I may be called away at any moment, and----"

Helene noticed that her father looked pale and worried and decidedly
ill at ease.

"I shall esteem it a great favour if you will not interpose any
objection to my project for this marriage. I have asked several of our
friends here to-day, and I have given them to understand that the date
of the marriage would be announced. It is your birthday, so it will be
a double event, as it were." He paused and looked at her.

"Do as you think best!" she said finally. She felt it was useless to
contend with him. For some reason or other he wanted an early
marriage; so be it!

"You have asked several friends," she said. "Have you asked any of my
mother's people?"

"No," replied Mr. Stanton abruptly.

"Mrs. Cruger said she hoped some day to meet some of my mother's
relations. Father, how is it I know nothing of her or her people?
What is the mystery about her? Every time cards are sent out from this
house for any function I am always reminded that there is not one of
her family to come to this house. On an occasion like this I should
have thought