ill
help a lot. So I'm working hard on it."

"But who was this man--what did he have to do with it?" asked Alice.

"He didn't have anything to do with it--but he wanted to. His name is
Simpson Wolley--Simp, he's called for short, though he is not as
simple as his name sounds. He heard about my invention--how, I don't
know--and he's trying to get it away from me."

"Get it away from you?" echoed Alice.

"Yes. He came to me and wanted me to sell him the rights, just as it
was, for a certain sum. I refused. Then to-day I came home
unexpectedly. I found him in the room where I work, looking over my
drawings and models. Mother had let him in to wait for me. She put
him in the parlor, but he sneaked into my room. That's why I sent him
flying."

"I don't blame you!" exclaimed Alice, with flashing eyes.

"Only I'm sorry he disturbed you," went on Russ. "I didn't mean to be
quite so hasty; but he got on my nerves, I expect."

"Oh, that's all right," said Ruth, graciously.

"Mother said you might be frightened," went on the young man, "so
she sent me here to tell you what it was."

"Don't mention it," laughed Alice. "We were a bit frightened at
first, and we put the chain on the door. But are you sure you're all
right--that he won't come back again?"

"Oh, you need not worry," Russ assured her. "He won't come here
again; though I don't fancy I'm through with him. Simp Wolley hasn't
much principle, and I know a lot of fellows who have done business
with him to their sorrow. But he'll have to work hard to fool me. So
my apology is accepted; is it?"

"Of course," laughed Ruth, blushing more than before.

Another step was heard in the hall.

"There's dad!" cried Alice. "Oh, where have you been?" she exclaimed,
as she ran to her father's arms.

"I couldn't come sooner," the latter explained in his deep, mellow
voice--a voice that had endeared him to many audiences. "We had to
arrange about the rehearsals. Haven't you a kiss for dad, Ruth" he
went on, putting his arms about the taller girl. "How are you, Russ?"
and he nodded cordially. "Isn't it fine to have two such daughters as
these?" He held them to him--one on either side.

"Father!" objected Ruth, blushing.

"Ha! Ashamed of her old daddy hugging and kissing her; is she?" Mr.
DeVere laughed. "Well, I am surprised; aren't you, Russ? Some
day----"

"Dad!" expostulated Ruth, blushing more vividly, and clapping a small
hand over her father's mouth. "You mustn't