With a resolute purpose written on his fine face, Ray carefully put the document away in an inner pocket; then donning his coat and hat, quietly left the house.

The last postal delivery of that same evening brought to Mrs. Richmond Montague the following anonymous letter: 

“MADAME:—­The girl in your employ, who calls herself Ruth Richards, is not what she pretends to be.  Her true name is Mona Montague, and she is compromising herself by secret meetings with a gentleman in high life.  She lunched this morning at the Hoffman House Cafe with Mr. Raymond Palmer, the son of a worthy gentleman whom you intend to marry.  You perhaps will best know whether she has any hidden purpose in figuring as a seamstress, and under the name of Ruth Richards, in your house.”

Unfortunately for our young lovers, Miss Josephine Holt had also been taking an early lunch in the Hoffman House Cafe that morning, and had seen Ray and Mona the moment they had entered.

Ever since she had discovered Mona at Hazeldean she had been trying to think of some way by which she could separate them, and now, knowing that Mrs. Montague was bent upon marrying Mr. Palmer, and feeling sure that there was some secret which Mona wished to preserve by becoming a seamstress in the woman’s house under an assumed name, she believed she could the best achieve her purpose by disclosing her identity and setting Mrs. Montague against her.  How well she succeeded will be seen later on.

CHAPTER VII.

MONA MAKES A SURPRISING DISCOVERY.

It was now the third week in April, and the season was unusually early.  The grass had become quite green, the trees were putting forth their leaves, and the weather was very warm for the time of the year.

On the morning after the high-tea and the announcement of the engagement, Mrs. Montague sought Mona and informed her that a party of friends had arranged for a pleasure trip through the South and down the Mississippi, and asked her if she would accompany her, since Louis had business to attend to, and could not act as her escort.

Mona did not exactly like to go, but there was really no good reason why she should refuse; the rush of sewing was nearly over, and if she were left behind, she would have to be idle the greater portion of the time; besides, she had worked very steadily, and she knew that she needed rest and relaxation.

She inquired how long Mrs. Montague intended to be gone, and the lady replied that she expected to return within two weeks.

“Of course you can please yourself about the matter, Ruth,” she remarked.  “I suppose I could take Mary, but she is not companionable—­she would not appreciate the journey, and I really wish you would go.  I should regard it as quite a favor,” the woman concluded, appealingly.

If Mona had been more observing, she might have seen that she was being closely watched, and that her answer was anxiously awaited.  Mona considered the subject a few moments before replying.  Her greatest objection was leaving Ray for so long—­two weeks would seem almost interminable without seeing him.