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"I know I shouldn't have done it!" he confessed with appealing frankness "You'd have foundThe truth is," his tone grew somber, "I was desperate! I HAD to have work!"

The candor of his smile would have disarmed a stonier-hearted person than Miss Cornelia But her suspicions were still awake

"'That's all, is it?"

"That's enough when you're down and out" His words had an un to believe him, and yet, he wasn't what he had pretended to be--and this night of all nights was no time to take people on trust!

"How do I know you won't steal the spoons?" she queried, her voice still gruff

"Are they nice spoons?" he asked with absurd seriousness

She couldn't help s, boyishin her heart

"Spoons are a great temptation to me, Miss Van Gorder--but if you'll take me, I'll promise to leave them alone"

"That's extre herself beaten She went over to ring for Billy

Lizzie took the opportunity to gain her ear

"I don't trust hily

Miss Cornelia stiffened "I haven't asked for your opinion, Lizzie," she said

But Lizzie was not to be put off by the Van Gorder manner

"Oh," she whispered, "you're just as bad as all the rest of 'e man comes in the door and your brains fly out the !"

Miss Cornelia quelled her with a gesture and turned back to the youngjust where she had left him, his cap in his hands--but, while her back had been turned, his eyes had -room--a survey that would have made it plain to Miss Cornelia, if she had seen hi establishment was not merely the casual interest of a servant in his new place of abode But she had not seen and she could have told nothing fro to eat lately?" she asked in a kindly voice

He looked down at his cap "Not since this ," he admitted as Billy answered the bell

Miss Cornelia turned to the i to eat and then show hiardener's house was soht and the approaching storain, whether this stranger had lied about his gardening or not, she was curiously attracted to him