.

A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK FOR CYRIL.
It was early in the forenoon of the first day of July that Eliza told her mistress that Mrs.Stetson was asking for her at the telephone.
Eliza's face was not a little troubled.
"I'm afraid, maybe, it isn't good news," she stammered, as her mistress hurriedly arose.

"She's at Mr.Cyril Henshaw's--Mrs.Stetson is--and she seemed so terribly upset about something that there was no making real sense out of what she said.

But she asked for you, and said to have you come quick." Billy, her own face paling, was already at the telephone.
"Yes, Aunt Hannah.

What is it ?" "Oh, my grief and conscience, Billy, if you _can_, come up here, please.
You must come! _Can't_ you come ?" "Why, yes, of course.