d not find what she was
seeking. She began to fear that her employer would get impatient with
her for being so slow and awkward.

But instead of getting impatient he told her to take her time. With that
keen hearing so subtle with the blind, he had divined what a state of
emotion she was in. He could tell that from the rustling of the newspaper
she held in her hand.

"We have plenty of time," he said, encouragingly; "besides I don't
suppose you have ever read a trade journal before."

"No, sir; I have not," she replied.

She continued to scan the sheets, then suddenly she gave a little cry of
pleasure.

"Have you found it?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Now look for these words," he said in English: "Linen, Hemp, Jute,
Sacks, Twine."

"But, sir, you know English," she cried, involuntarily.

"Five or six words of the trade; that is all, unfortunately," he
replied.

When she had found what he required she commenced her translation, but
she was so hopelessly slow, hesitating and confused, that in a few
moments the beads of perspiration stood out on her forehead and hands
from sheer agony, despite the fact that from time to time he encouraged
her.

"That will do. I understand that ... go on," he said.

And she continued, raising her voice when the hammering blows from the
workmen became too loud.

At last she came to the end of the column.

"Now see if there is any news from Calcutta," said her employer.

She scanned the sheets again.

"Yes, here it is," she said, after a moment; "From our special
correspondent."

"That's it. Read!"

"The news that we are receiving from Dacca...."

Her voice shook so as she said this name that Monsieur Vulfran's
attention was attracted.

"What's the matter?" he said. "Why are you trembling?"

"I don't know," she said, timidly; "perhaps I am nervous."

"I told you not to mind," he chided. "You are doing very much better
than I thought."

She read the cables from Dacca which mentioned a gathering of jute
along the shores of the Brahmaputra. Then he told her to look and see if
there was a cable from Saint Helena.

Her eyes ran up and down the columns until the words "Saint Helena"
caught her eye.

"On the 23rd, the English steamer 'Alma' sailed from Calcutta for
Dundee; on the 24th, the Norwegian steamer 'Grundloven' sailed from
Naraingaudj for Boulogne."

He appeared satisfied.

"That is very good," he said. "I am quite pleased with you."

She wanted to reply,