By Berwen Banks

"Not going out of England, I suppose?" said the lawyer.

"No, oh no; not even out of Wales."

"Well, I have your uncle's will here, and I can read it to you at once."

"No, indeed," said Valmai, "I don't think I want to hear it read. I

know from dear Uncle John's perfect faith in you that I can trust you.

If you will only tell me plainly how much money I can have now, and how

I am to receive it in the future, I shall be quite satisfied; and if I

owe you anything you can deduct it, please."

Mr. Lloyd smiled and shook his head at this unbusiness-like proposal.

"Well," he said, "young ladies can't be expected to know much of

business ways, but I should certainly like to go into the accounts with

you at the first opportunity. He has left you the bulk of his

property, the income of which is about 150 pounds a year; and, after

deducting the legacies and my costs and all expenses, I shall have in

hand about 300 pounds for you."

"Three hundred pounds," said Valmai, "what a lot of money! Could you

take care of it for me, Mr. Lloyd? and let me send to you for it when I

want it," she added nervously.

"Certainly, my dear young lady, and I will send you a statement of

accounts as soon as possible."

After a few more business arrangements Valmai left the office, feeling

she had quite acted up to her new rôle of an independent woman of

business.

Making her way to a quiet hotel, the landlord of which she remembered

had been an intimate acquaintance of her uncle's, she procured a bed

there for the night, and in the morning arose with the feeling that the

dear old past was dead, and that a new and unlovely life lay before her.