“I think Charlotte had much better get the check cashed and go to New York and buy herself a new hat,” said Mrs. Carroll.

“No, I don’t need a new hat,” said Charlotte, and it ended in her going with the check to Anderson to pay his bill.

In spite of his annoyance, the utter absurdity of the whole thing was too much for Anderson.  He had little doubt that the check was no more valuable than its predecessors, and now in addition this was supposed to liquidate a bill of several times the amount which it was supposed to represent.  But his mind was quickly made up.  Rather than have brought a cloud over the happy, proud face of that girl, he would have sacrificed much more.  He cast a glance around.  Luckily Price, the elder clerk, was engaged in the front of the store, and Riggs was assisting the man who delivered the goods to carry some parcels to the wagon.  Therefore no one witnessed this folly.

“Thank you, Miss Carroll,” he said, pleasantly, and took the check from the hand which trembled a little.  Charlotte was pale that morning.  It was quite true that she had not sufficient nourishing food for several days.  But she was very proud and happy now, and she looked at Anderson as he received the check with a different expression from any which her face had hitherto worn for him.  In fact, for the first time, although she was in reality simple and humble enough, she realized him on a footing with herself.  And she could not have told what had led to this reversion of her feelings, nor would it have been easy for any one to have told.  The forces which stir human emotions to one or another end are as mysterious often as are the sources of the winds which blow as they list.  The check was indorsed by Anna Carroll, to whom it had been made payable.  She had taken it from her brother that morning with a fierce nip of thumb and finger, as if she were a mind to tear it in two.  She had no idea that it was of any value, but, in fact, at the moment of her receiving it the money was in the bank.  Before Anderson had sent it in the account was again overdrawn.  Arthur Carroll was getting in exceedingly deep waters, to which his previous ventures had been as shallows.

Charlotte smiled at Anderson as he took the check.  She did not think of a receipt, and Anderson did not carry the matter to the farcial extent of giving her one.  He put the check in his pocket-book and inquired whether she had any orders to give, and she did order some crackers, cheese, and eggs, which he called to Riggs to carry to the delivery wagon.

After that was settled, Charlotte turned again to Eddy.  “When are you coming home, dear?” said she.

“Pretty soon,” replied Eddy, with an uneasy hitch.

Anderson, who had had his suspicions, spoke.  “I have invited your brother to dine with me, and he has been home to ask permission, he tells me,” said Anderson, and Eddy cast a bitterly reproachful glance at him, as if he had been betrayed by an accomplice.