ke to play what Aunt Betty and Jim like best," answered
Dorothy; "they hear me play oftener than anyone else."

"My choice is 'Das Gude vom Lied,' by Schuman," replied Aunt Betty.

"And mine is 'Rondo a capriccio,' by Beethoven," said Jim.

"All right, all right, they will suit exactly," added Mr. Ludlow.

"Mr. Ludlow," remarked Aunt Betty, "I would like to take up a few
minutes of your time when you are finished with Dorothy."

"I shall be through in just a few minutes, madam," answered Mr.
Ludlow.

"Do you want me to play again in New York?" questioned Dorothy.

"Yes, just once more, my dear," answered Mr. Ludlow. "That is on
Saturday night at the Hippodrome, at 8.15 p. m. It's a benefit concert
for the blind babies of New York. Many famous people are offering
their talent. You do not mind playing there, do you? Your future plans
we will discuss later, but that will be all for now. No--I shall
have to know what you are going to play there. May I suggest that
'Southern Medley' you play so well, and one other piece, say Shubert's
'Serenade.' Now have a good time to-morrow and be ready at one o'clock
sharp, on Thursday."

"What I wanted to say, Mr. Ludlow, was concerning Jim. He is thinking
of taking a business proposition with the Edison Company as assistant
in the department of installation," added Aunt Betty.

"Why, really, Mrs. Calvert, I hardly know much about that line of
business, but judging from hearsay I should say that Jim was very
lucky indeed to get such an offer," answered Mr. Ludlow. "Haven't you
any business friends in New York?"

"Why Mr. Ford, the railroad man might help," announced Jim from his
corner.

"By all means see Mr. Ford," said Mr. Ludlow. "It's getting very late
and I must go."

"I will be ready for you in time on Thursday. And thank you, oh so
much, for the tickets for to-morrow," replied Dorothy.

CHAPTER V.

THE CARNEGIE HALL CONCERT.

"Oh, dear, what a lazy girl I am. Nine o'clock and I have not had
breakfast. What day is it? Thursday,--and Mr. Ludlow coming here at
one o'clock. I must hurry for I must practice some," murmured Dorothy
to herself.

"Dorothy girl, are you still in bed?" called Aunt Betty from the next
room.

"I'll be with you in just a minute, Aunty dear. I'm most ready. Oh,
Alfy, please help me,--please," called Dorothy.

"All right," replied Alfy, "do you need me to do up the back of your
dress?"

"Yes, and that's all. I'm so late. I did