The two editors then withdrawing into a further corner of the office, a whispered consultation followed, during which Ruth heard the words, "Can't afford it, Tom; hang it! we are head over ears in debt now to that paper man; good articles though--deuced good--must have her if we dispense with some of our other contributors. We had better begin low though, as to terms, for she'll go up now like a rocket, and when she finds out her value we shall have to increase her pay, you know." (Thank you, gentlemen, thought Ruth, when the cards change hands, I'll take care to return the compliment.) In pursuance of Mr. Tibbetts' shrewd resolution, he made known his "exclusive" terms to Ruth, which were no advance upon her present rate of pay at The Standard. This offer being declined, they made her another, in which, since she would not consent to do otherwise, they agreed she should write over her old signature, "Floy," furnishing them with two articles a week. Ruth accepted the terms, poor as they were, because she could at present do no better, and because every pebble serves to swell the current. * * * * * Months passed away, while Ruth hoped and toiled, "Floy's" fame as a writer increasing much faster than her remuneration. There was rent-room to pay, little shoes and stockings to buy, oil, paper, pens, and ink to find; and now autumn had come, she could not write with stiffened fingers, and wood and coal were ruinously high, so that even with this new addition to her labor, Ruth seemed to retrograde pecuniarily, instead of advancing; and Katy still away! She must work harder--harder. Good, brave little Katy; she, too, was bearing and hoping on--mamma had promised, if she would stay there, patiently, she would certainly take her away just as soon as she had earned money enough; and mamma _never_ broke her promise--_never_; and Katy prayed to God every night, with childish trust, to help her mother to earn money, that she might soon go home again.