Year: 1878

burning in each of her cheeks, and the
folded hands were folded very tightly.


You forgot one end which should
have been considered an important
one" Doctor Thayer said, with cold Sc
verify; "and that is the poor, helpless
child who by her mothers death was
left not only an orphan, but utterly
without friends and support. So far as
l have heard, Mrs. Paulier was lady,
and had always had good home for her
child, quite different home from the
one to which the little girl was sent. If
nothing else had been accomplished by
an investigation, Mr.. Somes who was
well off, might have been made to pay
for the support and education of the
child whom his criminal careessness
had deprived of her natural support and
protector.


I" / do not know the law in such cases
made and provided, p" the lady said, in q
slightly sneering tone, yet with an evil
dent desire to conciliate. Sending the
child where / did, was not like sending
her to the poorhouse. | put her under
the care of Mrs. Warren, most capable
and excellent person, and meant to take
her into my employment as soon as she
should be old enough and fitted to sew,
or'be in any way useful. TO keep her
here was out of the question. did not
wish to bring her up in the house as
servant, nor would have her as one of
the family"


"After this explanation, 1 have no
longer any feeling Of dellcacy about re-
ceiving the articles of which 1 came
here to speak," the doctor said, coldly.
'Shall take them now, or will you
send them to me ?"


81 will send them to you," the lady
replied.


A formal leave-taking, and the two
parted, both sufficiently disturbed.


That evening, when the family at the
cottage were gathered in the parlor after
tea, there was sound of horses pranc-
ing down their street ,and presently Mrs.
Burkhardt's carriage drew up at the gate
and Mrs. Burkhardt herself descended.
She had dressed entirely in black, and,
having an errand to do, had anticipated
q little, and made her visit of condo
lence rather sooner than she otherwise
would.


But those who have so long known
each other may dispense with a little
ceremony" she said, with mournful
suavity, after having kissed both Meeta
and Mrs. Thayer, and clasped the hands
of the doctor and Charles. "And /
think in the first days of our trouble,
when we can't go out, we stand all the
more in need of company, to distract
our attention."


She was all grace and sweetness, was
sympathizing, yet did not talk in that
horrible skull-and-cross-b bones style
which some persons feel obliged to adopt
when making avisit of coincidence. She
prettily alluded to the fact that Anne
had some one whose privilege it was to
console her, and regretted that her con-
gratulations to the bride must be made
under the shadow of affiiction. Just be-
fore going she drew from her reticule a
tiny prayer-book bound in ivory and
gold, and presented it to Mrs. Thayer.


My wedding present comes rather
late" she said, g but it is not, hope, too
late"


The bride received the beautiful
gift, and made her acknowledgment for
it.


Come up and see Clarence" the
lady said to Charles. "He is longing to
tell all his friends about his first Euro
pean journey. TO be sure it was only
three months in England, but it was
across the ocean, and he feels quite
Travelled.


She took an afIectionate leave of the
sisters, begging them to come soon to
see her.


" You need not see other company un
less you like" she sal /. Tell the SER
want, if we have any oue with US whom
you don't wish to see, 10 show you into
my private sitting-room, or to Cousin
Margaret's room. She would be de-
lighted to see you. And apropos of
Cousin Margaret, doctor, will you be
good enough to come up and see her in
the morning ? She is great sufferer,
and really feel as though something
might be done to relieve her. / wish
that you would undertake her case"
Docfor Thaver offered his arm and