in her presence. But alas! the deed had been done and Ethel knew of it;
but while in New York Kate had refrained from again touching on the
subject. At that time an aunt of one of Ethel's schoolmates had formed a
company and many of the swell set had joined. Ethel longed to belong but
dared not offend her mother.

Now for Mrs. Hollister's plan. She suddenly conceived the idea of
inviting Aunt Susan on for a visit, supposedly to give Grandmother a
chance to see her only sister once more, but in reality to have Ethel
ingratiate herself with the old lady, thereby causing her to leave the
girl the bulk of her fortune. Ethel read between the lines and at first
refused, but after listening to her mother for a while and thinking
perhaps she was right, she allowed herself to promise to further the
plan.

Aunt Susan was a woman with fine eyes and teeth, as well as a charming
manner, but her style of dressing dated back to the eighties--full
skirts, flat hats with strings, beaded plush dolmans, etc. Ethel was
ashamed to be seen with her but she had promised to help and she had to
do her share. In the meanwhile her mother had spread the report that Aunt
Susan was a millionaire and that Ethel was to have her fortune at her
death. Everyone fell in love with Aunt Susan and ascribed her peculiar
dressing to the eccentricities of a wealthy woman.

Mrs. Hollister's joy knew no bounds when Aunt Susan invited Ethel to
return with her to Akron. Her scheme was beginning to work. Ethel was a
lovely girl. Aunt Susan would grow fond of her and the fortune was
assured. Besides, as it would cost a small fortune to take Ethel to a
fashionable summer resort, Mrs. Archie could save money for the winter.
But, accompanying the invitation, Aunt Susan requested that during July