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Sheriff. Rent $125, and costs $25 more.

Mrs. W. Here’s the money, $150. Now give me a receipted bill.

Sheriff. Here is one, though I didn’t expect to need it (gives bill and takes money). Thank you, ma’am.

(Exit Sheriff, L. Mrs. J. gazes in astonishment.)

Mrs. W. Mrs. Jones, what do your other unpaid bills amount to?

Mrs. J. About five hundred dollars.

Mrs. W. Well, I’ve got a proposal to make to you. In the first place, however, I must explain a little. Do you remember hearing your husband speak of his sister, Sarah Jane, who went to California to become a teacher, some twenty odd years ago?

Mrs. J. Yes; she went away just before I became acquainted with him. He frequently spoke of the circumstance; but the vessel was wrecked, and he supposed, as he heard no further tidings, that she must have been lost with the other passengers.

Mrs. W. Well, she wasn’t lost, but returned a couple of months ago, and now stands before you.

A. And are you my Aunt Sarah?

Mrs. W. Yes. I went, as you know, to San Francisco with the intention of teaching, but on board the steamer I became acquainted with Mr. Westwood, who had started for California to seek his fortune. He and myself and one other passenger were the only persons saved from the wreck. He persuaded me to abandon my original plan, and marry him. I did so, and we went into the country, where he bought a sheep ranch. He was prospered in all his undertakings, and, last year, died, leaving me, by will, all he possessed.