Mrs. Paxton told the contents of hers to all who would listen, and there were enough who were curious, to make a good audience. "TO MRS. CLARA FENTON PAXTON:" it began, refraining from any endearing terms. "I knew, before I met you, that you and your small daughter were related to my husband, and also knew that he entertained no admiration for you. He left his entire estate to me, and as you were but a distant relative, you could expect no inheritance. However, with a determination to deal fairly with all my kin (I have but three such), I came to the Cleverton to see you and your little daughter, intending, if she proved sweet-tempered and attractive, to will my property to her. She is the only one of the three relatives who bears my husband's name. "I do not wish to be harsh, but I am forced to admit that I find her to be bold, naturally unkind, and wholly lacking in the grace and courtesy which most children possess, either by training or inheritance. "I, therefore, have made my will in favor of Nancy Ferris, once a little waif, now a sweet, gentle, and attractive child, whose little acts of courtesy and kindness are fully appreciated by "Her friend, "CECILIA CULLEN FENTON." "A most singular woman, to leave her property to a waif, a child of the theatre, and not bequeath so much as a penny to my Floretta, whom _any_ one could see is an aristocrat," said Mrs. Paxton. "Mrs. Fenton, or anybody else, would need some rather strong glasses to see _that_!" muttered Mr. Cunningham. He was a testy old fellow, and he, like other guests of the hotel, had become exceedingly tired of Mrs. Paxton and her unlovely child. The other letter gave surprise and delight to the two who had shared in the care and training of little Nancy. "TO MRS. RUDOLPH DAINTY, AND TO MRS. CHARLOTTE GRAYSON, "DEAR FRIENDS:--" was its greeting, and then followed the story of the writer's visit to the Cleverton, and the statement that her few relatives were too distant to have any valid claim to her estate. "I was greatly displeased with the two of my kin whom I came to observe, and I will not dwell upon that, but, instead, will take this time to say that Dorothy Dainty and Nancy Ferris, are the two dearest children that it has been my pleasure to know. "Dorothy's life has been sunny, and Nancy's story, as you told it to me, appealed to me, and I looked with even greater interest at the child who, under your loving care, had blossomed like a lovely flower. "Dorothy has her parents, and will inherit a fortune. Nancy has no parents, and I know, will be kindly cared for by you, but that fact will not deter me from making a bequest that gives me greatest pleasure. "I shall leave all of my estate to Nancy Ferris, and I remind her, in some little verses that I enclose, how deeply I have appreciated her many little kindnesses. TO NANCY