curtained archway opening into a smaller one, which went by the name
of the music room. Here there was a grand piano and a fine
harmonium; the latter was Mrs. Herrick's special instrument. The
drawing-room wore its usual aspect on these occasions; rows of
chairs and cushioned benches occupied the entire floor space, and
overflowed into the inner apartment.

A crimson covered dais or platform, decorated with plants in full
bloom, and tall spreading palms, with a semicircle of comfortable
easy-chairs, was the chief feature in the arrangements; and here,
with the evening sunshine streaming on her, stood a tall slim girl
in a white dress, with a loose cluster of Shirley poppies in her
hand.

It made such a pretty picture that Malcolm stood quite spell-bound:
the crimson dais was such a rich background to the soft creamy white
of the girl's dress, while the poppies held so carelessly added to
the effect; even the sunshine filtering through the partially drawn
curtains gilded the fair hair until it shone like gold. Malcolm was
almost sorry when Anna caught sight of him, and ran down the steps
towards him with a bright smile of welcome, and two hands
outstretched.

"Oh, Malcolm, I never thought you would be here yet," she said, and
her voice was very soft and clear; "but I am so glad to see you, and
I have quite finished."

Anna Sheldon was not a pretty girl, but people always said she was
so interesting. Her figure was well formed and graceful, and her
expression and smile were remarkably sweet; but her features were by