eek, so that Ruth had the satisfaction of sending a weekly
remittance to her mother. She was very grateful for the change in her
circumstances, and, notwithstanding the disappointment about her
father's estate, felt that there was reason to hope.

Two days later Alfred Lindsay found a letter upon his desk addressed in
a delicate female hand which he did not recognize.

"A lady client!" he thought. "What does she want--a divorce?"

When he opened the envelope he read the following note, written on a
highly perfumed sheet:

MY DEAR MR. LINDSAY: Pray don't be shocked at my boldness in writing
you, but it _is so long_ since you have called that papa suggests
sickness as a possible cause. I do hope that this is not what has kept
you away. I confess that I have missed you very much. I have so enjoyed
our conversations. You are not like the fashionable butterflies of whom
we meet so many in society. One must tolerate them, of course but it is
a comfort to meet a man who can talk intelligently about books and art.
Apropos, I have a new collection of etchings that I want to show you.
Won't you name an evening when you will call, as I want to be certain
to be at home when you really do come. I should be desolated, as the
French say, to be absent.

Now don't fail to answer this screed. Otherwise I shall certainly
manage to have some law business that will give me an excuse for
calling at your office.

Very sincerely yours,

LUELLA FERGUSON.

Alfred Lindsay read this note slowly, and there was a smile upon his
face, for he fully appreciated Luella's motive in writing it. A
fortnight since he would have been charmed, but his feelings with
respect to Miss Ferguson had undergone a change. The revelation of her
real character had shocked him, and served effectually to kill his
growing attachment. Beauty of face could not make up for deformity of
character. On the other hand, he was beginning to be attracted by Ruth.
She lacked Luella's regular features and cold, classic beauty, but her
sweet face revealed a disposition warm, kindly, and sympathetic; and
when her deep, serious eyes rested upon him, he felt that she was far
more attractive than her showy rival.

"What shall I do?" he asked himself as his eyes fell upon the note. He
must of course answer it, but should he accept the invitation? Upon the
whole he decided to do so. There was no reason which he could allege
f