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 has been giving me some points on nerves. Now is a good time to put them into practice."

"Well," returned her friend, "if you can stand it I can, and that reminds me, father and I were talking of Hernando this morning. Now that he is cured, we hope that he will marry and settle down in a home of his own. As you know, he is the last male of our name and, unless he does marry, the name dies with him," and Miss Genung looked searchingly at her friend.

Eletheer smiled as she replied,—"I can't imagine a woman just like his wife ought to be. Honestly, now, can you, Mary?"

"Oh, Eletheer, can't you trust a life-long friend?" said Mary in a tone of such genuine feeling that Eletheer was startled. Gradually, however, the import of her friend's words dawned upon her and with a troubled expression she said gently:

"Mary, we are indeed life-long friends so don't misunderstand me—you will, however. Your accusation cannot be met with argument; but there are men and women who