at evening
without seeing Rita, happy and exultant in the mistaken belief that he
had helped to save her from the grasp of Williams.

That same evening at supper Tom, Sr., told of Billy Little's loan, and
there was at once an outburst of wrath from mother and son because part
of the money had not been applied to Tom's "overdraft."

"The pitiful sum of twenty-three hundred dollars!" cried Tom. "The old
skinflint might as well have kept his money for all the good it will do
us. Do you think that will keep Williams from suing us?" In Tom's
remarks Mrs. Bays concurred, saying that she "always knew he was a mean
old miser."

Rita tried to speak in her friend's defence, but the others furiously
silenced her, so she broke down entirely, covered her face with her
hands, and wept bitterly. She went through the after-supper work amid
blinding tears, and when she had finished she sought her room. Without
undressing she lay down on the bed, sobbing till the morning light shone
in at her window. Before she had lost Dic her heart could fly from every
trouble and find sweet comfort in thoughts of him; but now there was no
refuge. She was alone in the world, save for Billy Little. She loved her
father, but she knew he was weak. She loved Tom, but she could not help
despising him. She loved her mother, but she feared her, and knew there
was no comfort or consolation for her in that hard heart. Billy had not
come to see her when he brought the money, and she feared she had
offended him by asking for it.

Such was the situation when Dic received Miss Tousy's letter inviting
him to call upon her.

* * * * *

Miss Tousy greeted Dic kindly when he presented himself at her door, and
led him to the same cosey front parlor wherein Rita had imparted the
story of her woes and of Dic's faithlessness. She left her guest in the
parlor a moment or two, while she despatched a note to a friend in town.
When she returned she said:--

"I'm sorry to hear of the trouble between you and Rita, and am
determined it shall be made up at once."

"I fear that is impossible, Miss Tousy," returned Dic, sadly. "She will
never forgive me. I should not were I in her place. I do not expect it
and am not worth it."

"But she will forgive you; she will not be able to hold out against you
five minutes if you crowd her. Trust my word. I know more about girls
than you do; but, above all, I know Rita."

Miss Tousy watched him as he