And this invitation, coming; when Jane is practically on her death bed, is a warrant that Beth will get the money." "I hope she will," sighed the music teacher.

"We all need it bad enough, I'm sure." During this conversation Elizabeth, who might be supposed the one most interested in her Aunt's invitation, sat silently at her place, eating her breakfast with her accustomed calmness of demeanor and scarcely glancing at her parents.
She had pleasant and quite regular features, for a girl of fifteen, with dark hair and eyes--the "Merrick eyes," her mother proudly declared--and a complexion denoting perfect health and colored with the rosy tints of youth.

Her figure was a bit slim and unformed, and her shoulders stooped a little more than was desirable; but in Cloverton Elizabeth had the reputation of being "a pretty girl," and a sullen and unresponsive one as well.
Presently she rose from her seat, glanced at the clock, and then went into the hall to get her hat and school-books.

The prospect of being an heiress some day had no present bearing on the fact that it was time to start for school.
Her father came to the door with the check in his hand.
"Just sign your name on the back of this, Beth," said he, "and I'll get it cashed for you." The girl shook her head.
"No, father," she answered.

"If I decide to go to Aunt Jane's I must buy some clothes; and if you get the money I'll never see a cent of it." "When will you decide ?" he asked.
"There's no hurry.