The stout, sour-visaged lady who was half-hidden by her newspaper at the other end of the table was also a bread-winner, for she taught embroidery to the women of her acquaintance and made various articles of fancy-work that were sold at Biggar's Emporium, the largest store in Cloverton. So, between them, the Professor and Mrs. DeGraf managed to defray ordinary expenses and keep Elizabeth at school; but there were one or two dreadful "notes" that were constantly hanging over their heads like the sword of Damocles, threatening to ruin them at any moment their creditors proved obdurate. Finding her father and mother both occupied, the girl ventured to open her letter. It was written in a sharp, angular, feminine hand and read as follows: "My Dear Niece: It will please me to have you spend the months of July and August as my guest at Elmhurst. I am in miserable health, and wish to become better acquainted with you before I die. A check for necessary expenses is enclosed and I shall expect you to arrive promptly on the first of July. "Your Aunt, "JANE MERRICK." A low exclamation from Elizabeth caused her father to look in her direction. He saw the bank check lying beside her plate and the sight lent an eager thrill to his voice. "What is it, Beth?" "A letter from Aunt Jane." Mrs. De Graf gave a jump and crushed the newspaper into her lap. "What!" she screamed. "Aunt Jane has invited me to spend two months at Elmhurst" said Elizabeth, and passed the letter to her mother, who grabbed it excitedly. "How big is the check, Beth?" enquired the Professor, in a low tone. "A hundred dollars. She says it's for my expenses. "Huh! Of course you won't go near that dreadful old cat, so we can use the money to better advantage." "Adolph!" The harsh, cutting voice was that of his wife, and the Professor shrank back in his chair. "Your sister Jane is a mean, selfish, despicable old female," he muttered. "You've said so a thousand times yourself, Julia." "My sister Jane is a very wealthy woman, and she's a Merrick," returned the lady, severely. "How dare you--a common De Graf--asperse her character?" "The De Grafs are a very good family," he retorted. "Show me one who is wealthy! Show me one who is famous!" "I can't," said the Professor. "But they're decent, and they're generous, which is more than can be said for your tribe." "Elizabeth must go to Elmhurst," said Mrs. De Graf, ignoring her husband's taunt. "She shan't. Your sister refused to loan me fifty dollars last year, when I was in great trouble. She hasn't given you a single cent since I married you. No daughter of mine shall go In Elmhurst to be bullied and insulted by Jane Merrick."