see instantly through any evasion, not to say deception — even a harmless deception. No; if she were to be of any aid in this deeply-perplexing business, I must tell her the story of Lois — not betraying anything that the girl might shrink from having others know, but stating her case and her condition as briefly and as honestly as I might.

And no sooner did I come to this conclusion than I spoke; and after the first word or two Mrs. Bleecker put off her sun-mask and turned, looking me directly in the eyes.

I said that the young lady’s name was Lois de Contrecoeur — and if it were not that it was nothing, and human creatures require a name! But this I did not say to her, nor thought it necessary to mention any doubt as to the girl’s parentage, only to say