went on.

"What man?" asked Mr. DeVere, in surprise. "Was someone in here while I
was gone--those camera scoundrels, Russ?"

"No, it was Dan Merley himself!" exclaimed Ruth, "and he was so horrid,
Daddy!" There was a hint of tears in her voice.

"The impertinent scoundrel!" exclaimed Mr. DeVere, in the manner that
had won him such success on the stage. "I shall go to the police
and----"

"No, don't Daddy dear," begged Ruth laying a detaining hand on his arm,
as he turned to the door. "That would only make it more unpleasant for
us. We would have to go to court and testify, if you had him arrested.
And, besides, I don't know on what charge you could cause his arrest. He
really did nothing to us, except to hurt our feelings and scare us. But
I fancy Russ scared him in turn. Don't go to the police, Daddy."

"All right," he agreed. "But tell me all about it."

They did so, by turns, and Mr. DeVere's anger waxed hot against Merley
as he listened. But he realized that it was best to take no rash step,
much as he desired to. So he finally calmed down.

"If I could only prove that I had paid that money," he murmured, "all
would be well. I must make it a point, after this, to be more
business-like. It is like locking the stable door after the automobile
is gone, though, in this case," he added, with a whimsical smile.

Russ remained a little longer, and then took his leave. Ruth saw to it,
even getting up out of bed to do it, that the chain was on the hall
door. For she was in nervous doubt as to whether or not she had taken
that precaution. But she found the portal secure.

"That man might come back in the night," she thought. But she did not
confide her fear to Alice.

Morning revealed a new and wonderful scene. For in the night there had
been a heavy storm, and the ground of Central Park was white with snow.
A little rain had fallen, and then had frozen, and the trees were
encased in ice. Then as the sun shone brightly, it flashed as on
millions of diamonds, dazzling and glittering. Winter had come early,
and with more severity than usual in the vicinity of New York.

"Oh, how lovely!" cried Alice, as she looked out. "I must have a slide,
if I can find a place! Ruth, I'm going to wash your face!"

"Don't you dare!"

But Alice raised the window, and from the sill took a handful of snow.
She rushed over to her sister with it.

"Stop it! Stop it! Don't you dare!" screamed Ruth. Then she squealed as
she felt th