Yours sincerely, EDMUND LAWRENCE. Fred counted the bills, and alike to his surprise and gratification found that they amounted to two hundred dollars. "Where did you get so much money, Fred?" asked his mother, entering the room as he completed his count. "That letter will explain, mother," answered Fred radiant with delight. "We are indeed rich!" said Mrs. Fenton joyfully. "This removes all anxiety for a long time to come." "Yes, we can afford to snap our fingers at the landlord." "I hope you are not going to carry all this money round with you, Fred. You might get robbed." "I shall deposit it in the Dime Savings Bank this forenoon." "But you will leave before the bank opens." "No, I am to take a midday train." At ten o'clock Fred went to the Union Dime Savings Bank fronting on Thirty-Second Street, and deposited the hundred dollars in gold left him by his mining friend, and one hundred and seventy-five dollars besides from his recent gift. The other twenty-five he handed to his mother. "Mother," he said, "you need a new dress, and Albert needs a new suit. Take this money, and buy what you think best." "I can go a little longer without a dress, Fred." "But I don't want you to. We can spare the money well enough, and there is no better way to spend it." Mrs. Fenton made no further opposition, but during the day asked Ruth Patton to accompany her to one of the large stores on Sixth Avenue, where the necessary purchases were made. In the evening Ruth set out for her call upon Mr. Robert Ferguson. She ascended the steps in a state of nervous agitation, for she felt that the interview was of momentous importance to her, and in a low voice asked the servant who answered the bell if she could see Mr. Ferguson. "I will ask, miss," said the servant, surveying her plain dress with some disdain. "A young lady to see me?" said Robert Ferguson in surprise. "Are you sure it is not my daughter she wishes to see?" "No, sir; she expressly asked to see you." Mr. Ferguson was a widower, and rather vain of his personal attractions. Perhaps the young lady might have been struck by his appearance. "You can show her up," he said amiably, and turned to catch a further glance in a mirror just opposite. He straightened his necktie, and passed his hand softly over his hair to make sure that it was smooth, and then turned to the door to catch the first glimpse of his visitor. Nothing thus far has been said of the outward appearance of Ruth Patton. Notwithstanding her anxious face she was unusually pretty, and her manners were refined and ladylike. "Mr. Ferguson?" she said inquiringly, pausing at the door. "Come in, my dear young lady!" said Robert Ferguson graciously. "I am pleased to see you." "Thank you, sir." "Pray sit down." "He is much kinder than I supposed," thought Ruth. "I must have misjudged him." "I wrote to you a few days since," she began.