“I wish I was clever enough to get work,” was her sister’s answer as she inserted some newspaper clippings about the dead boy in the envelope, “but I shall very soon, for I am getting desperate.” As the girls were planning what to do next Mrs. Haley came in. She was as pleasant as usual, but Marion could see that something was troubling her. After kissing the girls tenderly, she sat down by Dollie, who was not quite well yet, but slowly convalescing. Marion had felt a little embarrassed in Mrs. Haley’s company of late, for she knew that her friend must wonder where she got her money to go on paying her rent and to employ a physician for Dollie. But her promise to Ralph had been sacredly kept, and Mrs. Haley was far too courteous to ask any questions. To-day even Dollie felt a little ill at ease, for Mrs. Haley, in spite of her kindness, did not look exactly natural. “What is troubling you, Mrs. Haley?” asked Marion, at last. “You look so worried and pale. Has anything happened?” Mrs. Haley tried to smile, but the effort was pitiful. “There has, indeed,” she said sadly, “and I feel that I must tell it, although I dread to shock Dollie, when she has so little strength, the poor dear.” “Tell it at once, Mrs. Haley. I can hear it,” cried Dollie, quickly. “Has anything happened to Ralph? Do hurry and tell us.” Mrs. Haley took the young girl’s hand and patted it as she spoke. “It may not be so serious, after all,” she said, more brightly, “but you know my nephew is living with me at present and, well, about three weeks ago an old family heirloom, a diamond, was stolen from the flat, and as Ralph and my husband were the only ones who knew exactly where I kept the stone, it was perhaps not unnatural that I should suspect him. Of course I put the question to him plainly, but for some reason or other he refuses to answer it. Since that time I have been at a loss to know what to do. We are trying to trace the jewel, but so far we have not been able to find it.” For a moment after she stopped talking there was not a sound in the room except the ticking of the clock, which was painfully in evidence. The face of Ralph Moore’s betrothed was like the driven snow when she turned toward her sister, but one look at Marion gave her the strength to recover. Marion sat like a statue, her face as pale as death, but with a smile wreathing her lips that spoke of heroic resolution. “He will prove himself innocent, I am sure of it,” she said firmly. “It is dreadful for us all, but Ralph is sure to be vindicated. Please believe me, Mrs. Haley, I have absolute faith in him.” “Yes, indeed,” murmured Dollie, in a fainter voice. She had not the strength to be as firm and determined as her sister. “I thought you would feel that way,” said Mrs. Haley, sadly. “God grant that you may be right, but as he has asked Dollie to marry him, I felt that she ought to know it.”