ly the home for Mrs. Grey.

And the rector's wife kindly offered to take her, then and there, in the
rectory carriage, to visit "the Misses Crane," the maiden ladies in
question.

"The Misses Crane," as they were called, dwelt in a
handsomely-furnished, old-fashioned double house, standing in its own
grounds, not very far from the Government House.

The Misses Crane were two very tall, very thin and very fair ladies,
with pale blue eyes and long, yellow, corkscrew curls each side of their
wasted cheeks.

They were dressed very finely in light checked summer silks, and flowing
sleeves and surplice waists, with chemisettes and undersleeves of linen
cambric and thread lace.

They were very poor for ladies of their birth. They had nothing in the
world but their handsome house, furniture and wardrobe.

They depended entirely upon their boarders for their bread; yet their
manners were a mixture of loftiness and condescension that had the
effect of making their guests believe that they--the guests--were highly
honored in being permitted to board at the Misses Cranes'.

But if not highly honored they were certainly much favored, for the
Misses Crane kept neat and even elegant rooms, dainty beds and an
excellent table.

Presented by the rector's lady, Mrs. Grey was received by the Misses
Crane with a lofty politeness which overawed even her false pretensions.

Presently the rector's lady, leaving Mrs. Grey to be entertained by Miss
Romania Crane, took the elder Miss Crane aside and explained to her the
nature of their business call.

"I think she is just the kind of boarder that will suit you, as your
house is just the kind of home needed by her," added the lady.

Miss Crane bowed stiffly and in silence.

"She is, like yourself, of an old aristocratic family, and of very
high-church principles; and she has, besides, an ample income, much of
which she spends for benevolent purposes," continued Mrs. ----.

Miss Crane bowed and smiled a ghastly smile, revealing her full set of
false teeth.

"She is, I should tell you, also entitled to all our sympathy. She has
suffered a great disappointment in her affections. She was engaged to be
married to the late lamented Governor of the State, when, as you know,
he was suddenly struck down with apoplexy, and died a few days before
the day appointed for the wedding."

"Oh, indeed!" breathed Miss Crane, in a low, eager voice, losing all her
stiffness and turning to glance at