isguided bachelor uncle
left me a few thousands a year or so ago; and I'm going to put them all
down my throat--or rather, _into_ it--before I give up."

"Where you going to study? New York?"

Again there was an almost imperceptible hesitation before the answer
came.

"I'm not quite prepared to say."

"Why not try it here?"

Arkwright shook his head.

"I did plan to, when I came over but I've changed my mind. I believe I'd
rather work while longer in America."

"Hm-m," murmured Calderwell.

There was a brief silence, followed by other questions and other
answers; after which the friends said good night.

In his own room, as he was dropping off to sleep, Calderwell muttered
drowsily:

"By George! I haven't found out yet what that blamed 'M. J.' stands
for!"

CHAPTER II. AUNT HANNAH GETS A LETTER

In the cozy living-room at Hillside, Billy Neilson's pretty home on
Corey Hill, Billy herself sat writing at the desk. Her pen had just
traced the date, "October twenty-fifth," when Mrs. Stetson entered with
a letter in her hand.

"Writing, my dear? Then don't let me disturb you." She turned as if to
go.

Billy dropped her pen, sprang to her feet, flew to the little woman's
side and whirled her half across the room.

"There!" she exclaimed, as she plumped the breathless and scandalized
Aunt Hannah into the biggest easy chair. "I feel better. I just had to
let off steam some way. It's so lovely you came in just when you did!"

"Indeed! I--I'm not so sure of that," stammered the lady, dropping the
letter into her lap, and patting with agitated fingers her cap, her
curls, the two shawls about her shoulders, and the lace at her throat.
"My grief and conscience, Billy! Wors't you _ever_ grow up?"

"Hope not," purred Billy cheerfully, dropping herself on to a low
hassock at Aunt Hannah's feet.

"But, my dear, you--you're engaged!"

Billy bubbled into a chuckling laugh.

"As if I didn't know that, when I've just written a dozen notes to
announce it! And, oh, Aunt Hannah, such a time as I've had, telling what
a dear Bertram is, and how I love, love, _love_ him, and what beautiful
eyes he has, and _such_ a nose, and--"

"Billy!" Aunt Hannah was sitting erect in pale horror.

"Eh?" Billy's eyes were roguish.

"You didn't write that in those notes!"

"Write it? Oh, no! That's only what I _wanted_ to write," chuckled
Billy. "What I really did write was as staid and proper as--here, let me
show you,"