ng, except two changes for necessary cleanliness--to pay my board;
after trying in every direction to get honest work to do; I was in daily
fear of being told to leave the hotel because I could not pay my board."

"That was very sad! but was it not very expensive--for you--living at
the Wirt House? Would it not have been better, under your circumstances,
to have taken cheaper board?"

"Perhaps so, dear; but Captain Stillwater had always made his home at
the Wirt House when his ship was in port, and had always left me there
when his ship sailed, so that I felt at home in the house, you see."

"Yes, I see," said Mrs. Rothsay.

"Oh, my fondly cherished darling--you, loved, sheltered, caressed--you,
rich, admired, and flattered--cannot understand or appreciate the trials
and sufferings of a poor woman in my position and circumstances. Think,
darling, of my condition in that city, where I was homeless, friendless,
penniless, in daily fear of being sent from the house for inability to
pay my board!"

"I am sorry to hear all this," said Cora. And then she was prompted to
add: "But where was Mr. Fabian Rockharrt? He was your earliest friend.
He first introduced you to my grandfather. He never lost sight of you
after you left us, but corresponded with you frequently, and gave us
news of you from time to time. Surely, Mrs. Stillwater, had he known
your straits, he would have found some way of setting you up in some
business. He never would have allowed you to suffer privation and
anxiety for a whole year."

While Cora spoke she fixed her eyes on the face of her listener. But
Rose Stillwater was always perfect mistress of herself. Without the
slightest change in countenance or voice, she answered sweetly:

"Why, dear love, of course I did write to Mr. Fabian first of all, and
told him of the death of my dear husband, and asked him if he could help
me to get another situation as primary teacher in a school or as a
nursery governess."

"And he did not respond?"

"Oh, yes; indeed he did. He replied very promptly, writing that he had a
situation in view for me which would be better suited to my needs than
any I had ever filled, and that he should come to Baltimore to explain
and consult with me."

"Well?"

"The next day, dear, he came, and--I hate to betray his confidence and
tell you."

"Then do not, I beg you."

"But--I hate more to keep a secret from you. In short, he asked me to
marry him."

"What!" exclaimed Co