"DEAR MADAME:--It always gives me great pleasure to see the merits of'The Quiver' recognized, particularly in haunts of high culture, likeyour alma mater. Nevertheless, you will readily understand that thelittle tribute to the genius of one of our contributors, contained inyour December number, which, owing to my prolonged absence from the city,has just now come under my observation, is, to speak bluntly, deservingof some return from me. I sometimes have no doubt that you will be glad to offerthe proper explanation. If, however, you insist upon leaving the matterin my hands, I assure you that I shall not mince matters. College honoris a point about which I am somewhat sensitive. We go to press on thetwentieth inst. Until that time I am

"Yours confidentially,"RICHARD BLAKE."

"Well," exclaimed Dorothy, folding the letter carefully and putting it back inits envelope, "what do you make of that, Bess?"

"Nothing," exclaimed Beatrice, "nothing at all. Who in the world is RichardBlake?"

"I don't know. Don't you, Frances?"

Frances shook her head. "But 'The Quiver' is a magazine. I've seen a copyonce or twice."

"Then," exclaimed Dorothy, promptly, "Richard Blake must be the editor, or oneof them."

"Well, did we say anything about him in the December number?" pursuedBeatrice. "0r anything about his magazine?"