"Oh, pshaw!" said Ruth, throwing the letter to Nettie, "make anything you like of it, pussy; it is of no value to me." The next letter ran as follows: "MADAM: "I have the honor to be guardian to a young Southern lady (an orphan) of large fortune, who has just completed her education. She has taken a suite of apartments, and given me orders to furnish them without regard to expense, according to her fancy. I have directions to procure busts of Mrs. Hemans, Miss Landon, and several other distinguished female writers, among whom Miss Le Roy includes 'Floy,' (I have not the pleasure, madam, of knowing your true name,) with whose writings she has become familiar, and who is as great a favorite with her as she is with the multitude who have paid tribute to her genius. "Please send me a line, (my address as below,) allowing me to inform my ward how her favorite wish can be best carried out. "Yours truly, THOMAS PEARCE." Ruth glanced around her little dark room and smiled. "I would rather, instead, that an artist would take a sketch of my room, now," said she; "that little black stove, where I have so often tried in vain to thaw my frozen fingers--that rickety old bed--the old deal table, with its yellow bowl of milk--that home-made carpet--those time-worn chairs--and then you, my little bright fairy, in the foreground;" and she pushed back the soft, glossy curls from Nettie's fair brow. "No, no," said Ruth, "better reserve the niche destined for 'Floy' for some writer to whom ambition is not the hollow thing it is to me. "Well, what have we here? Another letter?" Ruth broke the seal of letter No. 3, and read: "DEAR MADAM: "I am a poor devil, and worse editor; nevertheless, I have started a paper. If you will but allow me to put your name on it as Assistant Editress, I am sure it will go like a locomotive. If, in addition to this little favor, you could also advance me the sum of one hundred dollars, it would be an immense relief to your admirer, "JOHN K. STAPLES. "P. S.--Be sure you direct to John _K._ Staples, as there is another John Staples in this place, who is a great rascal. "J. K. S." "Well!" exclaimed Ruth, "I did not believe I should ever be astonished again, but then--I had not heard from Mr. Staples. But here is another letter. Let us see what the contents of No. 4 are." Letter No. 4 ran as follows: "DEAR 'FLOY': "I am a better son, a better brother, a better husband, and a better father, than I was before I commenced reading your articles. May God bless you for the words you have spoken (though unintentionally) so directly to me. May you be rewarded by Him to whom the secrets of all hearts are known. "Your grateful friend, M. J. D." "This will repay many a weary hour," said Ruth, as her tears fell upon the page. CHAPTER LXXXI.