Bought and Paid For

me. There were vexatious delays without number. It was difficult to find the right material or else something went wrong with the measurements and all had to be done over ag

ything which afforded her so much pleasure. They said no more, but they noticed with alarm that each day their mother seemed to age a year. Her cheeks became more holl

e and told him of her anxiety. He seemed to know already what she had to say. Taking both her ha

brings perfect peace. An organic disease of the heart, which remained latent up to the time of your father's death, has now become very pronounced. Trouble and sorrow have a

tial chat with the doctor, and for days Virgin

e? Fanny was hardly a companion. She was so different; her tastes and pursuits were not the same. There was not the same bond of symp

she expect? Suppose James was a rough diamond; he might still make a better husband than some other man better educated. He had had no advantages, but he was respectable and clever. Everyone admitted that he was smart. His ideas were simply wonderful. One of these days he would make a lot of money with his brains, and then she would be proud to be his wife. Thus she

married state, or with any profound respect for matrimony as a social institution. In theory it was beautiful; in practice it left much to be desired. Like any thoughtful girl having a broad, sane outlook on li

life, and some are initiated at an even tenderer age. How is it possible for any maiden to remain unenlightened in this regard these days when sensational, muck-raking prints throw the searchlight of publicity into every boudoir and spicy details of society's philandering fill column after column

any especial regard, the idea of forming with any man as close an association as marriage would mean was repellent to her. The intimate relation the marital tie pre-supposes frightened and appalled her as it has done many times before thousa

uge in marriage? Her first instinct is to find a husband, a man sufficiently well off to support both. There was, of course, only one word with which to brand that sort of thing. It was a legalized form of prostitution, an approved system of cohabitation which must be horrible and detestable to any girl of decent instincts, no matter which way she looked at it, and yet it was a state of white slavery which society fully condoned and ever approved. Hundreds of virtuous girls thus sold themselves-to the highest bidder. The slums had no monopoly of the white slave traffic; it flourished equally well on fashionable Fi

ad several fainting spells and on one occasion the girls were so alarmed that they thought the end had come, peacefully and suddenly. But the widow rallied and, in spite of her daughter's protests, insisted on continuing with her work

n her armchair, dozing. Her head had fallen forward on her breast, a piece of hemming on her knee. In order not to disturb her, the girls conve

had not disturbed her, Fanny tip-toed out of the room and presently returned, followed by James Gill

ening, e

a protesting finger, whil

ee that moth

newcomer sat down gingerly on a chair. Wi

n' here for? Why d

retended not to hear and went on with her book,

't like the way she looks to-day. I think it's

a snort of

hey're the worst kind of fakers. All they do is to look wise, scribble on a bit of paper

you're wrong for once," interrupted Virgini

doctors. They're a bunch of crooks, I tell you. It's you women with your imaginary ailments who ke

er time," said

ickly; "then they could

ter and her fiancé. Virginia was no mean antagonist when it came to an argument, but she was no match

s business

thing doing; I'm sick of the w

exclaime

anyone if I tell

from her book. Even

y, "we won't te

ng to make some highly important communication. Th

the grea

laimed Virgin

e her sarcasm, the young man beamed with self-

ons in it. My name will ring round the world. If

true, the mere hope that it might was enough to give her a thrill. Virginia remained cold. She was more cynical, having already heard many speeches of the same kind and f

st, Jimmie procee

Chicago far nearer New York than it is now. How? By cutting down the running time of the fastest tra

ted Fanny eagerly. "You ha

nse with the excitement of suspense, strained her ears. Even Virginia d

le is the vexatious delays caused by stops at way-stations. My idea does away with all stops. I elimi

s of wonder and demands for further explanation. Virginia l

admiringly. Assuredly she had made no mistake

irginia. "How do

hed outright. Conf

which catches the mail bag and jerks it into the car. Well, that same idea can just as well be applied to waiting passengers as to waiting mail bags. The passengers would all be gathered together in a car which would wait on a siding for the arrival of the express. By some mechanical contrivance-exactly what it would be I haven't yet figured out-this waiting car would be instantly

k up her book again. Jim was about to enter into further details when

Look!" sh

assistance the two girls sat her up again. Apparently she was not hurt, but her eyes were closed. She was strangely silent, an

d!" cried Fan

ly alarmed, exc

what's the matt

ut some brandy. Even Jimmie was frightened out of his usual levity and self-possession. Quickl

ctor, Jim!" cried Virginia,

face serious and white. For once he co

too