Year: 1878

After she had gone Rose pushed the
stool to Doctor Thayer's elbow, and,
seating herself on it, took his hand, and
again held 1t clasped between cheek and
shoulder, her breath coming quickly,
and faint color beginning to flicker In
her face. Neither of them said word
but they sat there, the child clnglng to
the friend she was so soon to lose, that
friend looking down on her with pang
of pity and tender regret


Presently the door was softly opened,
and the superior of the house came in,
smiling pleasantly, her manner show
ing that mlngling of sweetness and dig
nifty which we so often observe in those
whose vocation is religious. Her age
might have been fifty. She was large
and noble-looking, with somewhat
patrician cast of features, clear, steady
eyes of deep blue, and mouth that
seemed to smile even when closed, so
sweet were its curves.


6 am the SUPERIOR" she said simply,
saluting her visitor with Unconscious
stateliness, as he rose to meet her.


Doctor Thayer gave his name, which
she had heard before, and told his whole
story, emitting nothing. He was not
in the least afraid that the gentle
ret{gieuse would feel herself called on to
have him arraigned for grave-robbing,
particularly when the fruits of his dep
relation had been 80 fair lamb for her
flock.


" 1 am not a Catholic, madam, p said
he, " but am sufficiently well informed
to be not only willing but desirous to
place this child In your care. Indeed IL
Is only here that secret of her identity
can be preserved. Should any friend of
hers ever appear, shall of course give
up that authority and responsibility
which L now assume. / shall pay for
the child's board and tuition, and ex-
pect to be consulted about anything of
Importance which may be proposed for
her, and informed If she should be sick.
or If anything should happen to her.
For the rest, desire that you will use
your own judgment. Let her have
every advantage which your establish
ment affords, and be fitted to become q
teacher in case it should become neces-
sary at any future time that she should
do anything toward her own support"


Am to bring the child upa Catho
licp" asked the superior.


The doctor paused, and hesitated
moment. His religious opinions were
of the most liberal sort. He was what
might be called full-olown Unitarian.
which is about near an entire loosing
of dogmas as can well be.


After all, " he said, laughing, "what
use would it be for me to say no ? There
would be an atmosphere about her life
which would influence her, even if no
direct instruction were to be given. Be-
SIDES" he added more gravely," such a
prohibition would be In some measure
destructive of perfect confidence be-
tween you and the child and am very
anxious, madam, that you should be to
her in place of the mother she has lost.
want her to find here happy home.''


The superior's expressive face thank
ed and assured him still more than her
few earnest words.


shall feel peculiar interest in the
child" she said mot so much from
her orphan state and attractive appear
ance, as because her history. One whom
God has so signally distinguished by
raising her from the grave, almost by
miracle, must be destined for singular
fate"


A few words settled the pecuniary
part of the arrangement. Doctor Thayer
was to send the pay, and the superior
not to send any acknowledgment for it.
In case by any accident the remittance
didn't reach her at the proper time, she
was to write to him within a week to
that effect, her note, like all communi-
cations from her, to be sent, not by
mail but by trusty messenger, who was
to deliver 1t into the doctors own hands
and to no one else.-To be Continued.