Year: 1878

wrought gold ring, holding small but
very brilliant amethyst. Miss Rose
watched this hand for some time. It's
whiteness and symmetry pleased her,
and she had childish delight in the
glittering gem. Then her eyes stole
yet further, marked the narrow band of
snowy linen at the Doctors wrists, the
fine, clear gray of his coat-sleeves.


Finally, the bright, inquisitive eyes
were lifted suddenly to the gentleman's
face and met his eyes watching them.--
He was smiling, and her glance instant
ly fell under that kind, penetrating, yet
amused look


" IF one could know what thoughts
are buzzing like bees inside that little
head,' he said, with graceful lightness.
eff one could even guess what she is
thinking about Perhaps you are hav-
ing pleasant driver"


She smiled up at him, with wistful
look, as if desirous to speak, but not
daring to.


"You won't forget me in the place you
are going to 2" he asked ,fonding watch
ing the changes on that fascinating
child's face.


Instantly the soft brightness left her
eyes and lips, and in its place came an
expression of establishment, grief and
alarm.


Aren't you going to stay with me ?"
she exclaimed


He put his free arm about her, and
wi h the white hand which she had ad-
mired, drew her pale face close to his
bosom.


"My child, how cali 1 =? must go
home and live that is the place for me.
1 would like to keep you with me, but
it is impossible. Some time l will come
to see you, if you don't forget me. Are
you going to forget me, Rose?"


She said not a word, but clung to him,
trembling from head to foot.


Doctor Thayer was indescribably
touched. This friendless little one
whom he had rescued from death SEEM
ed to belong to him, and to recognize
that ownership. Was it not possible
that in calling her back to life he had
established some relationship with her
as strong as that of blood Was it quite
right to put her so entirely out of his
hands? Was it not possible to explain
and clear himself, or to recall the child
to his protection after brief absence
A single thought was sufficient to sweep
away these questionings, and that was
thought of his wife. She certainly had
not taken very much to the child. 1t
was natural, he said to himself, that
dear Annie, loving him as she did,
should desire all his attention and should
be anxious about everything which
affected his welfare.


" must give you up, my little girl"
he said, holding her closely, and looking
down into the eyes that looked up into
his. But will you remember what 1
say to you now 2"


Her lips family syllabled yes"
which he saw rather than heard.
Don't tell any one else what say
to you," he said, jealously. "Keep it
all for secret between you and me-
Rose, did you know saved your life -
saved you from dying y''


The pupils of the child's eyes dilated
slowly, her lips parted, but without Civ
ing utterance to word, the breath
hanging suspended on them, and her
brows drew themselves slightly togeth-
er, as though she was trying to under
stand or to remember.


" In the first place, you have to thank
God, " he went on, looking at her steadi.
ly, land next to him, you have to
thank me for your life. 1 shall never
forget this, and you must not 1t makes
bond between us which nothing must
break. l am your second father, and
you are the first child of my heart. How
ever 1 may love others, and however
you may love them, no one may, no one
can, come so near to you or to me as we
come to each other. Whenever in after
years you hear my name, think, but do
not say, " He saved, my life, and
must not forget him. Whatever you
may propose to do of Importance, re-
member that there is one who has a
claim on you, and do not make prom
ise without consulting me Ywill you re-
member ="


Yes, said the child


"And now" he went on, smiling
again, " cheer up and tell me how much
you love me"


81 love you,' she said, hesitatlngly,