“Well, Stuart answered my advertisement by coming in person to my hotel; finding me out, he left a note with his address, asking me to call there. I got that note when I came in, and immediately started out to see my cousins. I found them in an elegant little flat, their rooms almost as charming as themselves. I spent the afternoon with them, dined with them, went to the theater with them, supped with them, and only left them in the ‘wee sma’ hours’ of the morning. And I could not sleep for happiness in the thought of having found my kindred, and such delightful kindred! Then as soon as possible this morning I came to tell you the good news.” “I am very glad to hear it, Mr. Hay! I have lost sight of Mr. Stuart for the last six months.” “That is just as long as they have been married. They were married on the first of May last, and spent the whole season at some place up the Hudson, and have only been in town for a few weeks. And I do not think she knows a soul here!” said Ran with a pleading look in his soft, dark eyes that said as plainly as words could have spoken: “Won’t you please to take the dear little one under your wing?” Mrs. Walling replied just as if he had spoken his plea. “Yes, certainly, I will call on Mrs. Stuart with great pleasure if you will give me her address.” “When? Oh, when?” demanded Ran with more eagerness than politeness. And then suddenly remembering himself he said: “Oh, I beg pardon.” “Why, any time—this week, to-morrow, to-day, if you like. Yes, to-day, it will be just as convenient as any other day. Will you escort me, Mr. Hay?” said the lady. “Oh, with the greatest pleasure and gratitude, ma’am. You are very kind.” Mrs. Walling touched a bell, which brought a servant to the room. She ordered her carriage to be brought to the door, and then turning to young Hay, said: “If you will remain here until I put on my bonnet and wraps I will not keep you long.” Ran rose and bowed, and Mrs. Walling left the room. Twenty minutes later Ran handed the lady into her carriage, entered after her, and gave the order: “To the Alto Flats.” The truth is that Mrs. Samuel Walling was impelled by curiosity as well as by neighborly kindness in thus promptly going to call on Mrs. Cleve Stuart. A half hour’s drive brought them to the flats. Leaving Mrs. Walling in the carriage, but taking her card, he entered the office of the house and gave it, with his own, to the janitor’s boy, who took them upstairs. In five minutes the boy came down and reported that Mrs. Cleve Stuart was at home, and would the gentleman and lady come up? Ran returned to the carriage, assisted Mrs. Walling to alight, and conducted her into the house; they entered the elevator and were soon “landed” at the door of the private hall leading into the Stuarts’ suite of apartments. The boy opened the parlor door and they entered.