lectures and concerts, and she honored him by graciously accepting his
attentions; while, occasionally, he was permitted to accompany her to
church.

That faultless face, her unvarying amiability, her culture and wit, were
fast weaving a spell about him, and he had decided to ask her to share
his fate and fortune, when he suddenly missed her from her accustomed
seat at the table, and failed to meet her about the house as usual.

For three days he did not see anything of her, and he began to be deeply
troubled and anxious about her. He could not endure the suspense, and
made inquiries for her. He was told that she was ill, and this, of
course, did not relieve his anxiety.

On the fourth day, however, she made her appearance again at dinner, but
looking so pale and sad, that his heart went out to her with deeper
tenderness than ever.

He waited in one of the parlors until she came out from the dining-room.
She made her appearance just as a lady, one of the hotel guests, was
leaving the room. With eagerness he stepped forward to greet her, and
then, with kind solicitude, inquired regarding her recent illness.

"Thank you, Mr. Cutler; I have not been really ill," she said, with a
pathetic little quiver of her red lips, "but--I am in deep trouble; I
have had bad news."

"I am very sorry," returned the young broker, in a tone of earnest
sympathy. "Shall I be presuming if I inquire the nature of your
ill-tidings?"