Dear Mrs. Smith,—I am glad to say that yore int’rust ’cumulated faster than usu’l, so I kan inklose you heerwith $15. I am sorry I shall not see you again, az I am kalled away on bizness.

Very respectably yores,

S. Ruggles.

The men looked at each other in surprise, and then they began to disperse. Some one said: “I reckon he mus’ be all right, aftah all. Aunt Mandy got huh div’den’.”

“I reckon he’s comin’ back all right,” said another.

But Mr. Ruggles did not come back.

THE INTERVENTION OF PETER