"What was it?"

"Oh, I dare say she was just getting him to subscribe to some charity or

something equally innocent. Still, it was queer. But I know her too

well to suspect her of any impropriety. She's really the dearest,

sweetest girl, Miss Huntress, and I'm the last person in the world to

criticize her."

"But aren't you going to tell me?"

"Well, she came, quite alone, you understand, to Mr. Early's this

afternoon, and was closeted there the longest time. I couldn't help

wondering what it was all about. What do you suppose?"

"That was funny," meditated Miss Huntress.

"I'm certain there's some perfectly natural explanation, if we only knew

it," Lena went on. "But she looked awfully flushed when she came out."

"Thank you," said Miss Huntress. "I must be going now."

"Oh, won't you have another cup of tea? Of course, I'm on very good

terms with Miss Elton," said Lena, fingering the tray cloth a little

nervously. "I shouldn't like her to think I'd criticized her behavior,

even to you."

"You needn't be afraid," rejoined Miss Huntress. "I never let on how I

get my information. I'd lose my job if I did. Much obliged to you, Mrs.

Percival. Things are so dull during Lent that we're thankful for even a

few crumbs. I guess that's your husband's step. It must be getting

late."

"Oh, good-by! Dick, you dear boy, how glad I am to see you," cried Lena,

fluttering to the door to meet her returning lord. "Miss Huntress, this

is my husband. Good-by, again. Don't you remember?" she went on, as Dick

followed her back into her room. "She used to be my 'boss' when I was a

poor little slavey in the Star office, before my best beloved prince

came and rescued me from dragons and printers' devils."

"And are you so fond of her that you keep up the acquaintance?"

"Oh, I remember how hard it used to be to get 'matter'; and I don't mind

helping her out a bit when she's hard pressed."

"You are a kind-hearted little soul, Lena,"--and her husband stooped and

kissed her fondly, doing penance in his heart for his doubts of a day or

two ago, thoughts cruel, unjust, unwarranted. Lena had never looked more

delectable than now, with her head on one side, pouring his tea. She

kissed each lump of sugar as she put it in and laughed at her own

conceit; and she brought the cup over to his chair and rubbed her apple

blossom of a cheek against his with a little purr.

"I'm afraid you think me very silly, Dick," she laughed. "I do not seem

to get a bit wiser or better behaved, do I, for all Mrs. Appleton and

Ram Juna, and even your lovely high-bred mother? Dick, do you despise

me!"




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