A MODERN CINDERELLA

BY

AMANDA M. DOUGLAS

AUTHOR OF "THE GIRLS AT MT. MORRIS, " "SHERBURNE SERIES, ""A LITTLE GIRL SERIES. "

ETC. 

[Illustration]

M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 

CHICAGO

Made in U. S. A. 

A MODERN CINDERELLA

CHAPTER I

AT THE PALACE

"You may stay down here until nine o'clock if you like, " said Bridget. "It's awful cold upstairs. Be sure to wrap yourself good in the oldblanket. And put a little coal on the range. If you let my fire goout, I'll skin you alive. "

When Marilla first heard that threat she shuddered all over. If youscratched a little bit of skin off it hurt dreadfully. But Bridgetnever did it. Sometimes she hit her a slap on the shoulder. Shecouldn't even bear to skin a rabbit. "What do you mean by it?" Marillagained courage to ask once, when she came to feel at home. 

"Oh, I don't know. My mother used to say it. Sometimes she took astrap to us, but she wasn't ever real hard. "

Marilla knew about the strap in Bethany Home though she didn't oftenget it. 

"I'll remember about the fire. "

"Good night!" Bridget was off. 

She always took two or three evenings out in the week and had Sundayafternoon instead of Thursday because they had late dinners during theweek. She was very excellent help, so Mrs. Borden let her have her ownway. 

It was nice and warm in the kitchen; clean, too. Bridget couldn'tabide a dirty kitchen. Marilla had wiped the dishes, scoured out thesink and set the chairs straight around. It was a basement kitchenwith a dining room above. The front was the furnace cellar, the middlefor vegetables and what Bridget called truck. 

Marilla sat in the little old rocking chair and put her feet on theoven hearth. It was very nice to rock to and fro and no babies to tendnor Jack to bother with. She sang a few hymns she knew, she said overseveral, little poems she had learned and spelled a few words. Bridgethad turned the gas low, and she couldn't reach it without getting ona chair or she could have read. So she told herself a story that shehad read. 

It was very comfortable. She was getting a bit sleepy. Suppose shetook a teeny nap as she did sometimes when she was waiting forBridget. So she shook up the old cushion, brought up the stool, sat onthat and laid her head in the chair. And now she wasn't a bit sleepy. She thought of the stove and put on some coal, lest she _might_ fallasleep. 

She hoped it would be warmer tomorrow when she took out the twins. Then she would venture to stop at the book store window and look atthe pictures on the magazine covers. There was a baby that looked solike the twins it made her laugh. She didn't think the twins pretty atall. They had round chubby faces and almost round eyes, and mouthsthat looked as if they were just ready to whistle, and brown fuzzyhair without a bit of curl in it. But they _were_ good, "as good askittens, " their mother said. She did so wish she had a kitten. She hadbrought such a pretty one from the store one day, a real maltese withblack whiskers, but Bridget said she couldn't have a cat foreverround under her feet and made her take it back. 

Jack was past five and very pretty, but bad as he could be. Bridgetsaid he was a "holy terror, " but she thought holiness was goodness anddidn't see the connection. He was a terror, that any one could see. 

There was a queer shady look in the corners. She wasn't a bit afraid. The children at Bethany Home weren't allowed to be. She liked this agreat deal better. She wasn't compelled to eat her whole breakfast offof oatmeal, and always had such lovely desserts for dinner. Andsometimes Mrs. Borden gave her and Jack a banana or a bit of candy. Oh, yes, she would much rather live here even if Jack was bad andpinched her occasionally though his mother slapped him for it, orpinched him back real hard. 

What made this lovely, rosy, golden light in the room? It was like asoft sunset. She had been saying over a lot of Mother Goose rhymes; ofcourse she was too old for such nonsense and Jack didn't like them. And in "One, two, buckle my shoe, " she wondered which she liked best:"Nineteen, twenty, my stomach's empty, " or "nineteen, twenty, I'vegot a plenty. " That was Bethany Home where you only had so much forsupper and one little cracker. And here there was plenty. It made herlaugh. 

And then suddenly there was a pretty little woman in the room dressedin something soft and shining and in her hand she held a stick with abunch of gay bows at the end. She was so sweet and smiling thatMarilla couldn't feel afraid. 

"You don't know me, Cinderella?" she began, looking at the child. 

"Oh, that isn't my name. "

"You don't sit in the ashes any more but I dare say you brush up andcarry them out in the morning. But I don't find Cinderellas often atthis time of night. "

"I wish I was Cinderella. I have a little foot though, only it don'tlook so in these big brogans. I put some soles inside of them, bits ofvelvet carpet and they keep my feet nice and warm. I do think if theglass slipper wasn't too teeny weeny I could wear it. "

"You're a cute one. About the soles, now. Most children haven't anyuseful ideas, " and she laughed. "I knew who you were; now can youguess who I am?"

"Why if I was Cinderella you'd be a fairy godmother. But there ain'tany such things; nor Santa Claus. I like the stories about 'em and I'mawful sorry. I'm only Mrs. Borden's bound-out girl, but I like ithere. "

"You think so?" She gave the most curious, delightful laugh. "You areCinderella and I am the fairy godmother. "

Marilla sprang up and studied her. She was so pretty and her gownlooked as if it was sprinkled with diamond dust. She had never seenany one like her, but at twelve her range of observation had beenrather limited. 

"Well, what do you think of me?"

Marilla stood wide eyed and speechless. 

"Why--you are very beautiful. Oh, I wish you were a fairy godmother!I'd like to go to fairy land. I don't think any one would mind much, but I do believe the twins would care. Bridget says there isn't anysuch thing and then she tells about a little girl who was toted awayand had to stay seven years. "

"You couldn't stay that long, and times have changed, and you have noenvious sisters. You're a rather lonely little body with no father ormother. "

"Oh, how did you know that?"

She laughed, the softest, merriest laugh. 

Marilla looked and looked, the little body was so sweet andmysterious. 

"Oh, fairy godmothers know a great many things. They keep watch overthe Cinderellas and then when they find one to their liking theyappear to her, and then strange things happen. "

"Yes they are strange, " said the little girl. 

"Would you like to go to the ball?"

"Oh! Why I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do, " hesitatingly, "I'venever seen a ball. "

"You can dance. I saw you dancing with an organ grinder. "

"Oh, yes, I can dance that way, but----"

"Would you like to go?"

"Oh, wouldn't I!" Marilla's eyes shone with delight. "If you were afairy godmother you could put me in some clothes. "

Marilla didn't believe in it at all, but it was very funny. 

"Then just step out here. "

She did with the strangest sort of feeling. The fairy touched her withthe wand. Her clothes fell in a heap. The big shoes dropped off. Therewas a shimmery pink silk frock with lace and ribbons and the daintiestpink kid slippers with diamond buckles and pink silk stockings withlovely clocks. She went dancing around the kitchen light as a feather, her eyes shining, her cheeks like roses, her lips full of smiles. Shewas fairly bewitched. 

"You'll do, " exclaimed godmother, and she threw a beautiful whitecloak about her. 

"But we haven't a pumpkin in the house and Bridget catches all themice and burns them up. So you can't make a carriage----"

"There's one at the door. " The hall seemed all alight and they wentout. Yes, there was a coach with lamps on both sides, two horses and adriver, besides a footman who helped them in with a fine air, anddrove off as gay as if it was Christmas night, though it were reallyMarch. 

The streets were alight, the windows shining in splendor. Marilla hadnever seen anything like it. Presently they stopped at what seemed tothe little girl a great palace with broad white marble steps and tallcarved columns lighted by myriads of colored lights and the vestibulewas hung with vines. There were statues standing round that lookedlike real people only they were so white from top to toe. Then theywent up another beautiful stairway that led to a gallery where therewere numbers of inviting little rooms, and throngs of elegantlydressed people, not any larger than boys and girls. A maid took offtheir wraps, and brushed Marilla's hair and it fell in golden ringsall over her head. 

"What beautiful hair, " she exclaimed, "just like threads of silk. Youmust let it grow long. And such lovely eyes; but she's thin. "

"Yes, rather, " said godmother, "But she has dancing feet. She's a realCinderella. "

"There's so many of them and only one Prince. What a pity!"

"But each has her turn, and they are very happy. "

Then Marilla glanced around the gallery. That was well lighted and hada cushioned seat against the wall. Groups were sitting together orrambling about. And a great circular room, down stairs lighted by amagnificent chandelier whose prisms seemed in constant motion andrayed off every imaginable color with a faint musical sound. 

"Oh! oh! oh!" and her eyes were full of tears though her lips smiled. 

"Now we will go down, " said godmother. 

That was by another way. But this place was a perfect land of delight. She had never read of anything like it, but the Arabian Nights had notcome in her way. Some were dancing about informally, some talking andlaughing. There were the most elegantly attired boys in silks andvelvets made in all pretty fashions. Silk stockings and light coloredpumps, jackets trimmed with frills of lace, some with satin trouserswide enough for petticoats at the bottom and blue velvet sailorcollars. There was no end of fancy attire. 

"This is to be your knight, Sir Aldred. And this is the newCinderella. Take good care of her until the Prince comes. "

He bowed with most enchanting grace. 

"There are so many of them!" he said, as he took her hand, "But she isthe prettiest of them all. "

The knight gave her hand a little squeeze and she turned rosy red. 

"Come this way, " and he led her along. It was odd to be introduced asCinderella, but everybody was so sweet and cordial that she keptsmiling and bowing. 

Presently a cluster of bells sounded and everybody fell into linealong the outer edge of the beautiful building. It was a grand marchand the tapping of the feet seemed like an encore to the music. Thenthe first couple stepped out on the floor. Everybody dances in fairyland that is presided over by godmothers. Oh, it was just enchanting!

"Are you tired?" Sir Aldred asked presently. 

"Oh, no, I never imagined anything so utterly delightful. And thesplendid dressing. Are there many Cinderellas here?" a littletimidly. 

"Oh, yes. They love to come, but the new one always dances with thePrince. He will come in presently for you. "

"Oh, I shall feel afraid. " She really felt tears rushing to her eyes. 

"No, you will not, for he is truly most delightful, a regular PrinceCharming. You see, it is different in fairy land. You forget forawhile who you have been. That's the charm of it. And you're such alovely dancer. "

"And--and--is there any glass slipper?"

She seemed to remember something about that. 

"That's in the story. The Prince isn't looking for a wife now. And youcouldn't dance in a stiff glass slipper. It might shiver to pieces. What pretty little feet you have! And such a lovely curly head. "

It seemed quite delightful to be praised and she was glad she pleasedhim. 

Then there was a curious quivering about the place as if every one wasdrawing a long breath, and the lights were mysterious, while all thelittle bells twinkled. And there stood the Prince. 

He was taller than any of the others and very handsome. As for hisattire, I couldn't begin to describe it, it was so resplendent withsilk and velvet and jewels. 

Sir Aldred led the little lady up to him and said: "This isCinderella. "

The Prince bowed and pressed a kiss upon her hand and she was glad itwas lily white and not rough and red. 

"I am very glad you are here Cinderella, I hope you will have a happytime. You look so. "

"Oh I know I shall. " She blushed and cast her eyes down in such asweet fashion that he really longed to kiss the lids. 

Then the music commenced and they stepped out as if they had dancedtogether all their lives. The others formed a circle and went roundthem, bowing as they passed. There were such fascinating figures, changing frequently, each one prettier than the last. She wondered howthey could remember; how _she_ could do it. They all looked so lovely. It certainly was fairy land. 

Now and then the Prince bent over and said something charming to heras if she had been a fine lady and the odd thing was that she couldanswer him readily. The music began to go slower and died in softestmelody. Then he turned and said--

"Now we will go out and have some refreshments. You must be tiredafter all this dancing, but you don't look it at all. "

"Oh, I feel as if I could dance all night. I believe I am bewitched. "

He gave her the sweetest smile that any Cinderella ever had. 

"I am very glad. Sometimes they think of the ashes and cinders andwonder whether the pleasure will last. Then the lightness goes out oftheir feet and the smiles from their rosy lips. The thing is to enjoyit while you are here. You are a very delightful Cinderella; I mustask godmother to keep a watch over you. I hope to meet you again. "

The banquet room was beautiful as well; there was a great oval tablewith a chandelier shedding a thousand lights from the gorgeous prisms. Underneath was a tiny lake full of blooming water lilies. There weremounds of fruit and flowers, nuts from all over the world, piles ofcake, candied fruit, ices made in all kinds of shape. The mostbeautiful plates and dishes, glass and crystal and servants piling updainties and pouring out fragrant drinks. 

At the head sat the Prince and Cinderella. He rose and drank to herhealth and good fortune with the most exquisite verse and Sir Aldredreturned with a charming reply. Certainly there were no envious orjealous sisters. Every one was so merry and talked with his or herneighbor, and every girl had a knight who was devoted to her. Werethey all Cinderellas, and had the Prince been as delightful to them?Every face beamed with wondrous satisfaction. 

"But I don't understand it at all, " and she glanced up wonderingly. 

"Oh, you don't have to in fairy land. You just take all the pleasurethat comes. You are not thinking of all the tomorrows. There will besomething nice and pleasant if you look for it in the right place. Forlittle Cinderella, we must not be looking for tomorrow's joy. Youcannot find them tonight. There are flowers that fold their leaves butwill open again tomorrow. You would be short sighted to sit down andcry tonight about it. "

Marilla was a good deal puzzled. 

"You must be a happy little Cinderella when you have been to fairyland. You must not lose faith in fairy godmothers. They come atunexpected times and in different guise. And that is what keeps theworld bright and the heart young, and sometime the real Princecomes. "

Her heart beat with a mysterious joy. She was full of gladness. 

Then they walked around and all the other Cinderellas seemed so happywhen he smiled and spoke to them. The beautiful music went on. Hereand there groups were dancing again. 

And then it seemed as if a giant caught her and almost shook her topieces, and the beautiful lights wavered and vanished. She was broughtupon her feet with a force that would have shivered any glassslipper. 

"You little huzzy! What are you doing up this time of night, insteadof asleep in bed? Rouse up! rouse up! Lucky you didn't let my fire goout this cold night! Come, hustle!"

There seemed a sort of crash. Marilla glanced around with half-openedeyes. Yes, this was the old kitchen. There was Bridget with thelighted end of a candle in the tin candlestick. 

"Come! get along, sleepy head. " She gave her a push up the stairs andthrough the halls, half scolding her but not cross. "It's a wonder thegobble sirs didn't come after you. If you'd been carried off now! It'sawful cold. I'd sleep in my stockings and they'll be good and warm inthe morning. "

Marilla hustled off her clothes, wrapped herself in an old blanket andtumbled into bed in a little heap. But there was some mysterious musicfloating through her brain and a fragrance in the air. The Princesmiled down into her eyes, and the fairy godmother she should alwaysbelieve in. For she had been to real fairy land; that was the truth. 

CHAPTER II

JACK

The Bordens were nice, ordinary people enjoying life in a commonplaceway. There was Mr. Jack Borden, the junior partner in a fairlysuccessful law firm, his wife an averagely nice, sensible body, MissFlorence, her husband's sister, a bright girl of three and twenty, whose lover was in South America on a five years' contract, with oneyear yet to serve. 

After the twins were born they tried a grown nursemaid who bored themby sitting around when she was upstairs and making many excuses to getdown to the kitchen, where she disputed with Bridget who declared oneor the other of them must go, and they simply could not give upBridget. The babies slept a good deal of the time and only cried whenthey were hungry. The mother and aunt thought them the dearest thingsand their father was as proud of them as a man could well be. If itwasn't for giving them an airing now and then--but when it camepleasant weather they _must_ be taken out. 

Aunt Hetty Vanderveer who was queer and going on to eighty, whocouldn't live with a relative for they always wanted to borrow hermoney, got tangled up in a house on which she had a mortgage, andcalled her grandnephew, Mr. John Borden to her rescue. She took thehouse and persuaded them to come there, and she would live with themon certain conditions. She was to have the third floor front room andthe store room, get her breakfast and tea and take dinner with themthough it was their luncheon. Night dinners she despised. Sheentertained herself sewing patchwork, a dressmaker sent her bags ofsilk pieces; knitting baby socks and stockings and reading novels. They did get along very well though it made a good deal of running upand down. 

The spare room and Bridget's room was on this floor. On the second, two sleeping chambers, the nursery and the bath. Down stairs a longparlor and a dining room, with a basement kitchen which Bridgetdeclared she liked above all things. A woman came to do the washingand ironing, Bridget's nephew took out the ashes and swept the stoopand sidewalk. Bridget was a strong, healthy, good natured Irish womanwhen you didn't meddle with her, and the ladies were very glad not tomeddle. But some one for the babies they must have. 

One day a friend came in for a subscription to some of her charitiesand heard the appeal. 

"Now, I'll tell you just what to do, " she said "Go over to the BethanyHome, you take the car out to the Melincourt Road that passes it. Askfor Mrs. Johnson. They have two girls; they put them out when they aretwelve. And since you only want some one to amuse the babies and takethem out, and she will be growing older all the time, you see, you canbring her up in your ways. Yes, that is what I'd do. "

Mrs. Borden followed the advice. There was a stout, rather vacantlooking German girl, a good worker who delighted in scrubbing andscouring and who would make an excellent kitchen maid. The other wasMarilla Bond, an orphan with no relatives that any one knew; a fair, nice looking intelligent child, with light curly hair cropped close, rather slim, and with a certain ready, alert look that wasattractive. 

Mrs. Borden brought her home for a month's trial. She took to thebabies at once, and Jack took to her. Oddly enough, so did Bridget. She had such a quaint sweet way of saying, "Yes'm" and "No'm;" she didwhat she was told to do with alacrity, she ran up and down stairs onnumberless errands. She was a very good reader and at first, Jack kepther busy in this respect. But she wanted to hear about lions andtigers and men killing them and Indian fights and matters that didn'tplease the little girl at all. Mother Goose was babyish. 

The twins sat on a blanket on the floor and sometimes rolled around alittle. She played with them, talked to them and they really listenedto the stories that she acted off and laughed gleefully. 

"They certainly _are_ intelligent, " Aunt Florence said with pride. 

On nice sunny days when it was not very cold she took them out in thecarriage. They were carried down and put in it, then brought upagain. Their mother "wasn't going to have any nurse breaking theirbacks by a fall. "

So when the month of probation was ended, Marilla was bound to Mr. AndMrs. John Borden, to be clothed and fed and sent to school for half ayear. She really did like her new home. Only if it wasn't for Jack! Hepinched her sometimes, and once he kicked her but his mother gave hima good trouncing. 

The twins had some bread and milk and were put to bed at six. ThenCinderella went down stairs but not to sit in the ashes. She didnumerous things for Bridget and they had a cozy dinner together, always a dessert, and they were so good. 

"If Jack only wouldn't run away, " she said. "You see I can't leave thebabies, and I am so afraid he will get lost. "

"Let him get lost then; that'll bring his mother to her senses, andyou tell her. "

He did come near it one day. She took the babies home and explainedand then said she would go and find him. 

Aunt Florence went with her. They had quite a long search and finallyasked the policeman, who said: "there was a little boy down here on astoop, crying. "

Jack, sure enough, and he was very glad to be found. His mother kepthim in the house for two days and then he promised to be very good. 

"Now, if you make any trouble you shall not go out for a whole week. "

The babies hadn't gone much farther than "_agoo, agoo_, " but Marillatried her best to make them talk. They each had a rubber doll and thechild would dance them up and down and make them turn somersaults andstand on their heads, and invent every sort of grotesque action. 

Jack was a good looking little fellow and had been spoiled in theearlier years. He was a little afraid of his father, and sometimes hismother _would_ make him mind, but he was very full of badness. 

Aunt Florence wanted some silk and twist and spools of cotton onemorning. 

"You could find your way down to Grand street where the stores are, couldn't you Marilla--where we went that Saturday night?"

"Oh, yes. Down there opposite the park. "

"Yes. It's a big store. Day and Belden. I'll write it out for you andyou may take my Leggy bag. Be sure and put the change in it before youleave the store. "

"Yes'm, " with her sweet accent. 

"She may take Jack, and the babies will have a good long nap. NowJack, you must be very good and mind Marilla, or you shan't go outagain for a week. "

Jack said he would. He looked very pretty in his brown coat with itsfur collar, and his brown mittens. 

"Give me a penny a'cause I'm gonter be good. "

"I'll wait and see whether you are going to good or not. "

Jack stood it pretty well until they reached the little park which wasa rather long triangle with a few trees in it. Here he made a suddendash and was off like a squirrel. 

Marilla was after him. "Go it sonny, " cried a man laughing, but shegained on him and took him by the arm with a jerk that nearly capsizedthem both. 

He could not pull away. She marched him across the street and foundthe store, and asked for the notion department. There were the spoolsof all kinds. 

"Will you please open the bag and find an order in it, " she said in avery nice manner. 

The girl smiled. "Three spools of silk, two twist, black cotton number60, white cotton, 60, 70 and 80. "

She put up the order and sent the money whizzing to the cash clerk, handing the bag to Marilla. 

"What's that thing like a railroad for?" asked Jack, keeping his eyesupon it. 

"That carries the money. "

"Gee! I wish I had one at home!"

The change came back. Marilla opened the bag to put it in and usedboth hands. Jack was off like a flash, turning here and there throughthe aisles. Clear down to the end of the store was a toy department. Marilla was almost up to him when he grabbed a handful of toys and ranon. 

"Oh, do please stop him!" she cried to the clerk. 

Two or three joined the chase. Finding they were gaining on him hethrew down the articles and stamped furiously upon them. 

"What is all this row?" asked the floor walker. 

"The little boy snatched the toys and ran, " said the young clerk. 

"Oh, Jack, how could you!" cried Marilla. 

Jack laughed insolently. 

"Is he your brother?" in a sharp tone. 

"I'm only the nurse girl, please, sir, " and Marilla began to cry. 

The floor walker shook Jack until he was purple in the face. 

"You little thief! You ought to go to the Station House. I've half amind to send you!"

"Oh, please don't, " pleaded Marilla. She stooped to pick up some ofthe broken pieces. "I think his mother will pay for them. "

"Who's his mother?"

"Mrs. John Borden, 138 Arch Street. "

"What brought you in the store. "

"I was sent to buy some things. They are in this bag, and--thechange. "

A gentleman came up to inquire into the matter. 

"These children ought to be taught a lesson. That Granford boy carriedoff an expensive toy the other night and I sent a note to his motherthat brought her to terms at once. See what is the value of thesethings. "

The counter girl began to place the pieces together and examine themarks. 

"It is--sixty-seven cents. "

"That's too much. We'll send a note to his mother, and young sir, ifyou dare to come in this store again, we'll send you to jail, Ithink. "

Quite a crowd had collected. One lady looked at him sharply. 

"Why, it's little Jack Borden, " she said. "What's the matter?"

Marilla told the story over. 

"I don't care, " Jack flung out. "I just stamped on the old things. "

"Take that to Mrs. Borden, " and the man handed Marilla a folded note. "Now, I'll see you out, young sir. "

Marilla trembled from head to foot. She was very much ashamed thoughnone of it had been her fault. But what would Mrs. Borden say? What ifMrs. Borden should send her back to the Bethany Home! Oh, she did notwant to go. But she could not manage Jack. 

The young man stopped short when they reached the house, "I ain'tcomin' in just now, " he said decidedly. 

When Marilla was in the house she always answered the door bell. Bridget protested she could not run up and down so much and she didn'talways hear it. Miss Florence came now. 

"Oh, Marilla, what's the matter?"

"Jack has run off down the street. And, oh, Miss Florence"--ending ina fit of crying. 

"What _is_ the matter? Did you lose the money?"

"Oh, no, here is everything and the change. But Jack----"

"Come upstairs and tell us. " Miss Florence opened the bag, counted thechange, took out the parcels and a note. 

"Why, what is this?"

"The man told me to bring it home. I held Jack's hand tight all theway down to the store and gave the girl the bag because I couldn'topen it with one hand. She took out the money and put in the parceland gave it to me and said, 'Wait for the change. ' When it came shehanded it to me and turned away, and when I was putting it in the bagJack ran off. You know how the paths go in and out. I looked andlooked and saw him over at the toy counter, but before I could reachhim he snatched a lot of things and ran, and the girl went after him, too, and then he threw them down and stamped on them and ever so manypeople came and the man was very angry----"

Marilla cried as if her little heart had been broken. Miss Florencehanded the note to her sister who had been listening in amaze. 

"Marilla, " began Florence, "you have done the errand very well. Don'tcry, child. We shouldn't have let Jack go with you. "

Mrs. Borden's face turned very red. "A great fuss about sixty-sevencents. Accidents will happen. "

"But throwing them down and stamping on them was no accident, Amy. That child is dreadful. He doesn't mind Marilla when he is out of oursight, hardly when he is in it. And I don't know what the babies woulddo without her. "

They began to cry now. They always cried together and lustily. 

"Where's Jack?" asked his mother. 

"He ran down the street. "

"Don't worry about Jack, Marilla; you go down and get the babies'bread and milk ready. "

Marilla went and of course told the mishap to Bridget. 

"That young'un 'll get in prison some day; you see! He's a rascalthrough and through, a mean dirty spalpeen, a holy terror! And if theyset to blaming you, I'll threaten to leave; that I will. "

"You don't think they'll send me back to Bethany Home?" in adistressed tone. 

"They'd be big fools to! I don't know where they'd get another likeyou. If that Jack was mine, I'd skin him alive and hang him out barenaked, the mean little thief! And the missus knows he's bad throughand through. "

Marilla took the basin of dinner upstairs. The babies had hushed theircrying and gave a sort of joyous howl at the sight. Florence hadtalked her sister-in-law into a more reasonable view of the case. Thenthe babies were fed and comforted and sat on the blanket withplaythings about them. They could climb up a little by chairs, butthey were too heavy for much activity. 

Mrs. Borden picked up her slipper and went down stairs, opening thefront door. Jack was slowly sauntering back and she beckoned to him. He had begun to think it was feeding time as well as the babies. 

"I was gone, to put 'em back--" he began--

She took off his pretty coat and then she did spank him for good. Meanwhile the bell rang for lunch. She put him on a chair in the endof the parlor and said--

"Now you sit there. If you dare to get up you'll get some more. Andall the lunch you can have will be a piece of bread without anybutter. " And she left the door open so she could see if he ventureddown. 

But after the bread he went up stairs and straight to Marilla. 

"You old tell tale! You'll be rid on a rail and dumped in the river, "and he kicked at her. 

"The man sent a note----"

"Jack, " interposed his mother sternly. 

Then the babies were bundled up and carried down stairs, well wrappedup for their ride. Manila enjoyed the outing when she didn't haveJack. She went down again by the stores. There were two she delightedin, book and stationery stores. One window was full of magazines andpapers, and she read bits here and there. She was so fond of readingand she would piece out the page she read with her own imaginings. Shealways staid out two hours, more when it was pleasant, and broughtback the babies, rosy and bright eyed. 

"Jack, " and his father took him on his knee that evening, "you havebeen a very bad boy today. You have been a thief. Suppose the man hadsent you to the Station House?"

"I wouldn't a' gone. "

"Well, you would have had to. Thieves break laws and are sent toprison. And there you broke up the toys. You must never go in a storeagain without your mother. "

"M'rilla took me in. "

"And mother and Auntie supposed they could trust you. Now they can't. You will have to be watched and punished, and I am going to do it. There'll be no more Sunday walks with me, either. "

"Can't I go alone?"

"Not until you are a good boy. "

Jack looked rather sober, but his father saw he was not making muchimpression. And presently his mother put him to bed. 

"I really don't know what to do with Jack, " his mother said on herreturn, taking up her sewing. 

"Listen to this, " and Mr. Borden read from the paper an account ofthree boys who had managed to enter a grocery store and steal somequite valuable stock. Ages, seven, nine and ten. 

"I'd rather bury Jack tomorrow than have such a thing published abouthim, " he said. 

"And Jack used to be so nice, " returned his mother with a sigh. 

"We've indulged him too much, and we have idealized childhood toomuch; we've laughed at his smart tricks and his saucy replies, andtried high moral suasion, but we must turn over a new leaf. When he isbad he must be punished severely enough to make an impression. Areyou sure of that girl, Marilla?"

"Yes. She's truthful and so sweet to the babies. Bridget says shewouldn't even touch a piece of cake without asking for it. But I thinkshe does sometimes shield Jack. He has a nasty way of pinching and Ido slap him for it. I'm afraid of his pinching the babies. But wenever do leave him alone with them. "

"See here, " began Florence, "why not send him to Kindergarten. The newterm is just beginning. I think boys ought to be with other boys. Andthose classes are made so entertaining. The many employments take achild's mind off of mischief, and they are trained in manners. Ohdear! think, what a blessed time we should have!"

"I don't know but it is a good idea, " said Jack's father. "He willhave to mix with children some time, and our training hasn't provedsuch a brilliant success. Oh, I do want him to grow up a nice boy. Butboys seem an awful risk now-a-days. I never knew so many youthfulcriminals. "

"I'd like to know who that woman was who recognized Jack in thestore. That mortifies me awfully. "

"And it will get told all over, I know, " returned Aunt Florence. 

"Well, children do out grow a good many of these disagreeablecapers. "

The next night Mr. Borden brought home something in a paper bag andJack begged the bag "to bust, " watching his father as he shook out aleather strap cut in thongs and said--

"Now, Jack, every time you do any naughty, ugly thing, I am going topunish you with this strap. You must not pinch Marilla or the babies, not kick any one nor tell what isn't true. We want you to be a prettygood boy, otherwise you will have to be sent to the reform school. "

"I'd like to go to the 'form school. "

"Not much, " was the comment. 

"Why, I'd run away. "

"There's a high fence all around, and you couldn't climb it. "

"Then I'd holler like fury. "

"And be put in a dark dungeon. "

"There was a man in a story who dug his way out. That's what I'd do. "

Arguing was useless. He was such a little fellow, but fertile inexpedients. 

"I don't want ever to use this strap on my little boy. I hope he willbe good. "

"What is good and what is bad. "

"Come to bed, Jack. You're getting silly. "

On Monday morning Jack went to Kindergarten. The house was likeanother place. And Jack was very much entertained. He soon learnedwhat a "punch below the belt" meant, and a "biff in the eye" andseveral other fighting terms. 

"And they're a set of gumps, " he declared. "They can't read right off, they've got to write it, and I can read most anything and spell words, too. But they make pictures and lovely things, and sing. Yes, I liketo go. "

CHAPTER III

PLAYING HOOKEY

Marilla thought she had lovely times with Jack in school, but she didhave to run up and down so much that some nights her little legsfairly ached. But now she took the babies out to the big park whereshe could sit and watch the merry children at play and the beds offlowers coming out, and there were the funny pussy willows and thelong tails of yellow forsythia and some squirrels running around, andbirds calling to each other. Then there were pretty children playingabout and some nurse girls that she talked to. She felt so restedsitting here, and sometimes her thoughts went back to the March nightwhen she had fallen asleep by the warm stove and had that wonderful, beautiful dream. She felt very happy over it. And the Cinderella meantall the little hard worked girls who had few pleasures. Oh, she wishedthey could all have one night in that magic fairy land. 

She was learning to sew a little as well, and she thought she shouldlike it if there was a little more time. But the babies began to crawlaround now and Violet would pick up anything and put it in her mouth;so you had to watch her every moment. And though they generally sleptfrom ten to twelve, there was the door to answer, little things to bedone for Aunt Hetty whose bell would ring just as she had her workfixed ready to sew. Then likely she would lose her needle. 

But she managed somehow to keep very sweet-tempered. She wished shecould go to school. 

"We'll see next fall, " Mrs. Borden said. "The twins will be larger andless trouble. "

Sundays were pretty good; Mr. Borden took out the children in theafternoon. She had to help Bridget with the vegetables for dinner, which was at midday and there was so much washing-up afterwards, atleast drying the dishes, that there was barely time to go to Sundayschool. But the singing was so delightful. She sang the pretty hymnsover to the babies. In the evening the family generally went out orhad company. So after Jack and the babies were abed she used to read, unless Jack wouldn't go to sleep and torment her with questions thatwere unanswerable. 

On the whole Jack had been pretty good for a fortnight. One afternoonMrs. Borden had gone out, Miss Florence had some visitors in theparlor. Marilla had fed the babies who were laughing and crowing whenAunt Hetty's bell rang. She ran up. 

"M'rilla get me some hot water, quick, and that aromatic ammonia, I'mso faint and feel queer all over. Be quick now. "

She ran down, but could not run up lest she might spill the water. Aunt Hetty was gasping for breath, and leaning back in the big chair. She swallowed a little, then she went over on Marilla's shoulder andthe child was frightened at her ghastly look. There was the lavendersalts----

Just then there was a succession of screams from the babies. Could sheleave Aunt Hetty? Miss Florence called her, then ran up stairsherself. 

And this was what had happened; Jack had come home and finding no one, knew there was some candy on the closet shelf. And there hung thestrap. He wondered if it would hurt very much? The babies looked tootempting. So he began to strap them and enjoyed the howling. He wasjust going to leave off when Aunt Florence flew into the room. 

"Oh, Jack, you cruel, wicked boy!" Then she seized the strap and hesoon had an opportunity to known how much it hurt. 

"Marilla! Marilla!" she called. 

"Oh, Miss Florence, something dreadful has happened to Aunt Hetty, andI'm fast with her. "

She came up. "Oh, she looks as if she was dying or dead. Let's put heron the lounge and you go for Bridget. "

"What is the matter with the children. "

"Oh, go, quick! I'll tell you afterward. "

The child summoned Bridget and just ran in to comfort and kiss thebabies. 

"Oh, Jack, you never--oh, look at their poor little hands! You bad, wicked boy!"

"If you say much, I'll give you some----"

Marilla snatched at the strap and flung it upon a high shelf. Jackwiped his eyes and went out to play. Marilla ran upstairs again. Theywere fanning Aunt Hetty and bathing her face and head. 

"Marilla, will you go to the parlor and ask that lady to come uphere, --Mrs. Henderson. Bridget thinks--oh, and we ought to have adoctor! I must telephone. "

"And then can I stay with the babies?"

"Yes, yes. "

"Poor babies!" Marilla fairly stopped them with witch hazel. Theirlittle fat hands and their shoulders were swollen already. She kissedthem, but she couldn't take them both and they wanted to be cuddled. So she sat down and hugged them and really cried herself. 

Bridget came down, "She isn't dead but she's a mighty hard faint onher. And what happened to the children?"

Marilla explained in a broken voice. 

"Oh, the murtherin' little devil! You take one and I'll comfort'tother. But you can't lift her. "

No; Marilla couldn't lift such a dead weight. Bridget walked the floorand patted Pansy and crooned over her, but the hurt was pretty deep. 

Aunt Florence came down. 

"She's over the faint. Mrs. Henderson is going to stay a while. Oh, poor babies!"

"I must look after my meat or it'll burn, " and she gave the baby toMiss Florence. 

"I'll sit in the rocking chair and you put her in my lap, I thinkshe's hurt more than Violet. You see, I ran upstairs when Miss Hetty'sbell rang, and she fell on my shoulder, and I never thought----"

"I gave it to him good, and his father'll finish him tonight. Oh, dear! Well, there comes their mother. "

There was a hubhub with both babies crying again. Mrs. Borden laidaside her hat and coat and took up Violet, sent Marilla for a pitcherof milk and both babies were comforted with a drink. 

"Sit on the floor and hold them. They're so heavy. Poor sweetbabies. "

The sobs ceased after a while. Violet fell asleep, Pansy was bathedagain and grew quieter. The doctor came and said it was a bad faintingspell but that Mrs. Vanderveers heart was weak from age. 

Marilla fixed Pansy's supper, fed her and undressed her, and hermother laid her in the crib. Then she said--

"You may go and help Bridget a little with the dinner. "

Marilla arranged the table and the master of the house came in. Jacksneaked in, also. Mrs. Henderson staid, so no explanations were made. Jack was very quiet and behaved beautifully, but he wanted to go tobed at once. Violet woke and had her supper and quiet was restored. Then a man came in to consult Mr. Borden about some business. 

"It was awful that Jack should go at the babies so, " said Mrs. Bordento her sister. 

"I don't know about telling his father. You gave him onewhipping----"

"And a good hard one. I'm afraid of boys getting so used to that modeof punishment that they don't mind it. But father brought up four boysin that manner and they have all made nice men. I don't see where Jackgets his badness from. "

Jack's mother sighed. "And yet he can be so lovely. "

"I've been considering, " rejoined Florence. "Suppose we hold thisover his head for a while. I might talk to him. "

"Well, we can try it. "

So Aunt Florence talked to him very seriously, and said if he wasn't abetter boy they would have to send him off somewhere in the countrywhere there were no children. She would not tell his father just now, but if he ever struck or pinched the babies again she certainly would, and he would be punished twice over. He must remember that. 

He put his arms around her neck, and kissed her. "I'm awful sorry. Ididn't think it hurt so, " he said naively. 

"Papa will hurt you a great deal more than I did, " was her reply. 

And then Jack had a sudden accession of goodness. His teacher wasproud of him. How much was due to his pretty face and winsome manner, one couldn't quite tell, but the nursery had a lovely rest and Marilladidn't have to watch out every moment. 

Mrs. Borden secretly wished the twins were prettier. They were toofat, and when she tried to diet them a little they made a terribleprotest. Here they were fourteen months old and couldn't walk yet, but they were beginning to say little words under their nurse's steadytraining. 

Aunt Hetty made light of her attack and was soon about as usual, butshe did not take long walks and laid on the lounge a good deal. "Folkscan't stay young forever, " she said, "and I'm getting to be quite anold lady. "

Then they began to plan for a summering. 

Last year they had not gone anywhere. Advertisements were answered, and Florence visited several places. They would take Marilla ofcourse, she was coming to have a thin, worn look. Aunt Hetty wouldvisit a grand niece, who had been begging her to come. Bridget wouldstay in the house, she had no fancy for cantering about. Mrs. Bordenwould live at home through the week and rejoin them on Saturdayafternoons. They must get off soon after school closed. There was noend of sewing. Some pretty skirts were altered over for Marilla, asthere was enough for full dresses in them. 

The place was on Long Island, a country house with only two otherboarders. It was barely a quarter of a mile from the seashore, with agreat orchard and grass all about, shady places for hammocks andnumerous conveniences, besides moderate board. 

Jack had not been an angel all the time. Some days he wouldn't study. Then he had two fights with boys. He threw stones at cats--sometimesdogs, and broke two or three windows which he didn't set out to do. Hewas getting tired of school and the weather was warm. 

So one afternoon he thought he would take a walk instead. He would goout to the park where they went on Sundays. It was so warm in school. He was getting quite tired of the confinement. 

He found a group of children and played with them awhile. Then theyran off home and he rambled on and on until he came to a street up afew steps. A wagon was standing there and two little boys were hangingon behind. 

"Come on, its real fun, " sang out one of them. "You get a good ride. "

Jack thought it would be. They showed him how to hold on. The driverhad been busy with an account book and now he touched up the horses. "Hanging on" wasn't so easy Jack found, and you had to swing your legsunderneath. The man paused again at a saloon and he dropped off; hishands were very tired. The man went in the place and when he came outone of the boys said--

"Hi! Mister, won't you give us a ride?"

The man laughed. "Where you want to go? I'm for Roselands. "

"We want to go there, " was the reply. 

"Well, crawl up here. Two of you'll have to sit on the wagon bottom. "

"I'm going to sit with the driver, 'cause I asked. "

It wasn't a very clean floor to sit on, Jack thought, and the wagonbumped a good deal, the beer kegs rattled against each other. But theboys laughed and called it fun. There was another stop and then thedriver asked who they were going to see in Roselands. 

"Oh, no one. We're going just for fun. "

"Where'd you live?"

The boys all lived at Newton. 

"Jiminy; then you better get out and trot back. I'm going over themountain where I put up for the night. Mebbe you can get a ride back. It's two miles down to the place where I took you in. "

"Yes, we better get out, " replied the biggest boy. "Oh, we can soonfoot it back. Much obliged for the ride, Mister. "

The man nodded. 

They sat off quite cheerily. Automobiles passed them and carriagescontaining ladies, one or two loaded trucks. Jack began to get verytired and lagged. "Come, hurry up, " the biggest boy said. Jack ran alittle distance for a change. He began to wish he was back in school. Presently a farm wagon came jogging along. 

"Give us a ride?" The biggest boy's name was Dick and he seemed thespokesman. 

"Yes--where ye want to go?"

"To Newton. "

"I turn off at the crossroads, ye kin ride that fur. "

That was a great relief. They were quite jolly again, though Jackdidn't understand the fun. But when they dismounted, Dick asked himwhere he lived. 

"In Arch Street. "

"Well, that's clear over there, " indicating it with his head. "Ta ta, little sonny. "

They both laughed and Jack felt rather affronted. Over there seemed along way. Then it was clouding up and night was coming on. He wentstraight along, but now he was hungry, and his little legs ached. Hehad been instructed if he was ever lost to ask the way to Arch Street. So he asked now. 

"Oh, sonny, you're a long way from Arch Street. Keep straight on untilyou come to Taylor, then ask again. "

Here was a bakery with a pleasant, motherly woman. He went in. 

"Please ma'am, would you give me a bun? I'm lost and I can't find myway back to Arch Street. "

"You poor child! Yes, and here's a cake, beside. Arch Street isn't farfrom the eastern end of the park. Sit and get rested. Who's yourfather?"

"Mr. John Borden. "

The woman shook her head. 

"Thank you, very much. " Jack rose. 

"You go straight down three blocks. Then ask a policeman. Oh, I guessyou'll get home safely. "

Jack walked his three blocks. Then there was a low rumble of thunder. Oh, dear! He began to cry. Was there never a policeman!

"What's the matter bub?" asked a kindly voice. 

"I'm lost. I can't find my way home. "

"Where is home?"

"Arch Street. "

"Come on. We'll find it. It's bad to be lost. Where have you been?"

"Oh, I can't tell all the places, " sobbingly. 

They entered the park. Even that was large enough to get lost in. Itgrew darker and darker and there was a sprinkle of rain. Jack heldtight to the man's hand, and it seemed as if the park was full ofbears. He was so frightened. They came to one of the entrances. 

"Now you keep straight on and you will come to Arch Street. Good-byelittle lad. It's raining quite fast. Hook it along. "

Jack _did_ run. Houses began to look familiar. 

Yes, here was his own street. Oh, how glad he was. He almost flew. Andhis father ran down the steps and caught his little wet boy in hisarms. 

"Oh, Jack! Jack! Amy, " he cried through the open hall door, "he'shere! he's here!"

There had been a great commotion, for Jack had been instructed to comestraight home from school even if he went out afterward. And when itcame dinnertime with no Jack, and the dreadful things that one couldconjure up--being run over, being kidnapped--for he was such a prettylittle fellow! Mr. Borden telephoned to the Police Precinct, to twohospitals, went out to search, inquiring of the neighboring children. No, he had not been playing with them. Mrs. Borden was wild withterror. Aunt Florence said some boy had coaxed him off somewhere, butshe was desperately afraid that he laid crushed in some hospital. Andnow they all hugged and kissed him; and what with the fatigue, thefright and all, Jack really had an hysteric. 

They rubbed him and put him in some dry clothes and gave him a dose ofaromatic ammonia to steady his nerves, and then some supper. And hesaid he went to the park and came out somewhere, and a man took himand two other boys for a ride. Dick was such a nice, big fellow. Hesaid nothing about hanging on behind, he had a feeling that wouldn'tredound to the story. And the man took them out to Roselands andwasn't coming back----

"Roselands, " cried his mother. "Oh, Jack you might have beenkidnapped. Never, never go riding with any strange man. And how didyou get back?"

"We walked some, then another man rode us a little way, and the boyswent off and I got lost more and more and couldn't find a cop, andasked every so many people, and a woman gave me a bun and a cake, andthen a man took me across the park and told me to go straight along. And I was afraid of the thunder and all, and I was wet, and oh, dear!"

"Never mind, Jack. You're safe home now. You must come straight homefrom school, you have always been told that. "

And he hadn't been to school at all!

But he was very sleepy and his mother put him to bed and kissed him adozen times. The scoldings would save until tomorrow. 

Jack was rather languid the next morning and a little afraid. But hewas the best boy in school, and brought home a note from his teacher, never suspecting his sin would find him out so soon. 

Miss Collins asked his mother if she would send the reason why Jackwas not at school yesterday afternoon, as they were required to put itdown in the record book. 

"Oh, Jack! You didn't go to school yesterday afternoon! What _were_you doing?"

Jack hung his head, "I took a little walk, and then--and then--I wasafraid it was late, and some children were playing--!"

"Oh, you naughty boy! That is playing truant. I don't know what yourfather will say!"

"I don't want to any more. I'd rather go to school. It wasn't funny abit. And I don't want to ride in any old wagon that jounces andjounces, and I did get so tired. What did the teacher say?"

"They have to put the true reason down in the record book. And thereit will stay always. My nice little boy was a truant-player. And weshall all be so ashamed. What will your father say? And he was soafraid last night that you were killed!"

"Oh, mama, I never will do it again, never!" Jack hung round hismother's neck and cried and she cried with him, thinking of hertumult of agony last night. And she had him safe--her little boy!

"Jack, " she began presently, "can't you be brave enough to tell papahow it began. Climb up in his lap and tell him how sorry and ashamedyou are. "

"Will he strap me?"

"You deserve it I think. But he surely would if I told him. And whenpeople do wrong they must bear the punishment. "

"But I never will do it again. "

"Tell him that, too. "

Of course they talked it over at dinner time. Jack was not at allvainglorious. Afterward, he hung around and presently climbed up inhis father's lap. 

"My dear little son, " and his father kissed him. 

"But papa, I was badder than all that. " Badder seemed to admit moreenormity than simply bad, "I--I went in the park to walk and I staidso long that--that----"

"That you were ashamed to go back?"

"Well"--Jack had spasms of direct truth tellings now and then, likemost children. 

"I didn't feel so 'shamed then as when teacher spoke of it thisafternoon. It looked so pleasant I thought I'd go on. Some of the boyssaid it was funny to play hookey, but I don't want to do it everagain. And if I had been killed somewhere!" Jack began to cry. 

The father held him close for some minutes. 

"Jack, " he said at length, "you have been a very bad boy, and I amglad it wasn't a happy afternoon. I hope you never will play truantagain. Think how mama and I suffered not knowing what had happened toyou and afraid our little boy might be brought home dead. You ought tobe punished but you seem to have suffered somewhat, and I am going totrust you, only, you can't go walking with me on Sunday, and maybethere are some other pleasures you will be deprived of. I'm awfullysorry and mortified that your name must go on record down at City Hallas a truant from school. Some of my friends may see it. These thingsare sure to get to daylight and make your family ashamed of them, andyour teachers; just try to think of that when you do the things youknow are wrong, for even a little boy will know that. Didn'tsomething tell you staying from school was wrong?"

Jack crept closer in his father's arms. He was too young for muchreasoning, and the man wondered if he would have been so penitent ifhe had had what boys call a real good time. 

They let the matter go at that. Jack looked very wistful when hisfather took the babies out Sunday morning and said no word to him. Hefollowed Marilla round as she dusted up the rooms and wanted to knowabout Bethany Home. 

"Were the children always good?"

"Oh, no. There were a good many bad ones among them. "

"Did they have a strap?"

"Yes, a bigger one than your father's. "

"Will papa get a bigger one when I'm big?"

"Oh, Jack, I hope you won't need any strap. Why can't you be a goodboy?"

Jack gave a long sigh. "Sometimes badness comes into your mind justsudden like. "

After a pause--"Did you like Bethany Home?"

"Not as well as being here. I've told you that forty times. And therewere no little babies. And no dessert, only a teeny little bit onSunday. And just a sweet cracker for tea. "

"What makes you like the babies? They can't talk nor do anything. Andthey are not as pretty as I am. Folks used to say when I was reallittle, 'Oh, what a lovely child. '"

Marilla laughed, Jack did know that he was very good looking. 

"They'll be pretty by and by. And they are real sweet. I like babies. I like kittens and little chickens. "

"I like a dog. Cats scratch. "

"Not unless you torment them. Now I am going down stairs to put thedishes on the table. Then I must go and help Bridget. "

"Bridget won't let me come down in the kitchen. She chases me out witha stick. "

"Children are a bother in the kitchen. They ask so many questions. "

Then his mother and Aunt Florence came home from church, and hisfather with both babies asleep. He carried them upstairs. 

Marilla was getting to be quite a handy table maid for all but theheavy dishes. She placed them on the dumb waiter and started themdown stairs. Mrs. Borden took off the others. When the babies wereawake Marilla had to stay up with them. 

Mrs. Borden dished the cream. "Jack will not have any today, " hismother said. 

Jack sat still with his eyes full of tears but said not a word. 

But he went to Sunday school with Marilla and behaved beautifully. 

"If he was always as good as this, " the child thought, "how I shouldlove him. " He did not even tease for a walk, a thing she was quiteafraid he would do. 

CHAPTER IV

POOR CINDERELLA

Oh, how busy they were and the babies took this opportunity to beginthe cutting of teeth. The auto came for Aunt Hetty. Some of the parlorfurnishings were packed away, everything swathed in linen. The closingexercises of the kindergarten took place and Jack distinguishedhimself by repeating a pretty little poem. In September he would besix. 

Then came the last week. They would go on Saturday. Sunday was Fourthof July but it would be held on Monday. Trunks were packed, the lastbit of shopping done. The babies fretted and Marilla took them outmorning and afternoon with strict injunctions to keep on the shadyside of the street. It seemed to grow hotter and hotter. The childlost her appetite and could not eat Bridget's choice tid-bits. Oh, howher little legs ached, and her back felt sometimes as if it would fallapart. 

"It's good you are going, " declared Bridget. 

"You're almost a skeleton. Goodness knows I shall miss you enough, andjust be thinking of your coming back. "

Jack had gone down town with his mother to get some sandals andslippers. She was very glad, for sometimes his talking almost set hercrazy, and she really was afraid to be impatient with him. 

She had found a beautiful quiet street with great trees that fairlymet in the middle of it. Many of the families were away. She sat onone special stoop where the house was all shut up tight. There were nochildren in the street. 

It seemed this day, Thursday, as if she would never get there. Thebabies were so heavy. She sat down on the second step, leaning againstthe stone column and pushed the carriage to and fro. Curious shadowswent dancing before her eyes, sometimes she could not see at all. Andshe was so sleepy!

Pansy threw her rattle out and cried for it. Marilla stepped down topick it up and fell on the sidewalk. What was the matter with herlegs? they seemed to have lost their strength. She crawled up again. All the world, the trees and houses went flying round and all wasdark. She was falling down--down--Poor little Cinderella!

The babies missed the soft soothing voice. They cried louder andlouder, then howled. Some children came to see what was the matter twoquite big boys among them. The policeman looked down from the cornerand paced with his slow tread. 

"What's the row here?" he asked. 

A lady came down one of the stoops on the opposite side of the street;a rather tall, slim woman in a soft gray dress and hat with violetsaround the crown. She crossed over. The policeman had taken the girlby the shoulder and given her a rough shake. 

"Those children howl enough to wake the dead, and she's asleep here. "

But as he partly raised her Miss Armitage saw that her face was deadlywhite. 

"Oh, poor child!" she cried. "What can be the matter? And whose babiesare these?"

"They're Jack Borden's little sisters--twins. And thats the nuss gal, "said one of the big boys. 

"Do you know where they live?"

"Round in Arch street. "

"Could you take them there?"

"Well--yes'm. "

"Then take them, " rejoined the lady. 

The carriage being moved she sat down on the step and took the girl inher arms. 

"She isn't dead--I see the flutter in the temple. "

"Better go to the hospital, " proposed the policeman. 

Marilla opened her eyes and glanced up but did not seem to noticeanything; then the lids fell and the beautiful long lashes shadowedher cheeks. 

"Carry her to my house across the street, " and she led the way. 

He picked up the light burden as if it had been a feather. She openedthe door and asked him to take the child upstairs and lay her on thecouch. 

"I am obliged to you, " she said. "In a way I am in Settlement work. We'll have a doctor and see what is the matter. Then I'll decide aboutthe hospital. And I will find out about those people. "

"You're a good sort, ma'am, " and he touched his hat brim to her. 

"Jane, " she called. "This poor child isn't exactly in a faint, butsomething is the matter. Get a warm bath ready and we'll put her in. I'll telephone to Dr. Richards. "

"Yes--he was just going out. Would be up for a first call. "

Miss Armitage undressed her. She was clean and neat, but the poorlittle body was painfully thin. Then they carried her to the bath. Jane rubbed her softly and she gave some responsive sighs. 

"What a pretty lot of little curls and fine as silk. I do wonder whoshe can be?"

"She's the little nurse girl who brings those babies, twins I supposethey are, and sits on the stoop over opposite. "

"What happened?"

"Well it's some sort of a collapse. Now I'll find a nice nightgown, and we'll see what the doctor says. "

Marilla opened her eyes. They were a sort of blueish gray, but nowvery heavy and dull. Her lips moved, but the tone was very low. Itsounded as if she said "fairy godmother" and Miss Armitage smiled. 

"Oh, poor little thing!"

Dr. Richards flew around in his auto. 

"Oh, I thought something had happened to you, " he began. 

"It has, " and she detailed the simple story. 

He followed her up to the room. It was such a lovely, restful room. Awhite bed in the alcove, white window drapery, a carpet withconsiderable light blue in it, a dressing case, a writing desk, somebooks and pictures, mostly Madonnas. 

"Poor child, " he said. "She's been worked too hard. All her strengthseems gone. And a case of heat prostration. It's been an awful day. Who is she?"

Miss Armitage told over the incident. "I have seen her sitting thereseveral times. It is shady in the afternoon. "

"Two fat babies, " and he laughed. "I should think one would be enoughfor such a child to manage. Overwork and underfeeding I think, and theheat. I'll see if I can rouse her. "

Marilla opened her eyes and the lids seemed to fall from absoluteweariness. The lips moved but made no sound. 

"It is a kind of comatose state. Not knowing all that is back of it Ican't quite make up my mind. If this awful heat would let up! I'llleave some drops to be given to her and will come in one my firstround in the morning. I haven't been to the Settlement House yet. "

"Oh, you must go. That little Mary Burns died at noon, and her motheris half crazy over it. Poor little thing, deformed and all that. Thischild has a nice straight body and a fine smooth skin. I'll go roundin Arch street and see what I can learn about her. "

"She looks worth saving if life really holds anything for her. Poorthings! Why are so many sent into the world 'just to toil. '"

"I was going over----"

"Never mind now. I'll attend to it all, and see the Burns' priest. Don't be worried. These drops will keep up her strength, " nodding toMarilla. "And I will report in the morning. "

Dr. Richards went his way. Miss Armitage sat and considered. Perhapsit would be as well to go to Mrs. Borden's. They would be feelingmuch alarmed, no doubt. She explained to Jane and put on her hat againand picked up her sun umbrella, for some streets were still in a glow. This was the best part of the city however, and there were some finetrees. 

She stopped and looked in a directory. There was only one Bordenliving on Arch street, a Mr. John Borden, lawyer. She made a note ofthe number. Arch street was some distance farther west, and then onlya block or so. A very nice looking three-story brick with a stonestoop. She mounted and rang the bell. There certainly was a child orchildren crying. 

A young woman much distraught answered the door. And now positivehowls greeted her ears. 

"We are in such trouble, " apologized the woman. 

"I am Miss Armitage and live in Loraine place, nearly opposite wherethe little girl fainted. Did the babies get home safely?"

"Oh, we are so glad! Won't you please come upstairs for my sistercan't leave the children. We have been almost crazy! One boy said shefell off the steps. Is she much hurt?"

"She had a bad fainting spell. The doctor came and he hardly knowswhat to think until tomorrow. The policeman proposed sending her tothe Hospital, but I am one of the managers of the Settlement House inBeacon street, so I had her brought over to my house. A fall, yousaid?"

"That was what a boy said--that she tumbled off the step. Oh, Pansydear, do hush! You miss Marilla, don't you? The best little nurse inall the world. Oh, what _can_ we do without her!"

Mrs. Borden was pacing the floor with the baby's head against hershoulder and gently patting her. She did not scream now, but sobbed ina very sleepy fashion. 

"You see, we are to start on Saturday noon, and we shall not come backuntil the middle of September. We thought it would be so nice forMarilla, too, she'd kind of run down though she wasn't at all ill. Bridget worried that she ate so little and she was growing thin. "

"How long has she been with you?"

"I took her from an institution--the Bethany Home--about the middle ofOctober. She was just twelve, the Matron said. I think she was veryglad to come. She's had a good home and plenty to eat. And one funnything is that Bridget took such a fancy to her, and though Bridget'sgood as gold, she has some queer streaks. "

Mrs. Borden sat down and drew a long breath. Pansy had fallen asleepat last. 

"And we never let her lift the children or carry them up and down. Ithink babies are sometimes injured for life that way in falling. Theyused to sit on the rug and she'd tell them stories. I think she musthave made them out of her head--funny things and she'd act them offand the babies would laugh and laugh--it was as good as a play. Theyseemed to understand every word. Marilla was a born nurse girl. Butwhat can we do? We must have someone, and there's only such a littletime. "

Miss Armitage was thinking. 

"Perhaps I might help you out, " she said kindly. "There is a younggirl with us who worked in a factory until she gave out. We sent herto the Rest House in the country and she _did_ improve, but theywouldn't take her back in the factory. She's a nice pleasant girlabout seventeen. "

"Oh, how good of you to think of it! But I can't pay high wages, forthere'll be her board and it won't be hard. When the babies are wellthey are as good as kittens though they can't scamper around so much. And they're so fat they won't walk very soon. It'll just be sittinground and amusing them and looking after their food. I couldn't givemore than three dollars a week--we are not at all rich, " with a shortlaugh of apology. 

"I think Ellen would come for awhile. "

"And I should want Marilla as soon as she was well enough. You seeshe's bound-out to me, and we all like her so much. I don't see what_could_ have happened to her. She has been out in the fresh air mostof the time and we always tell her to go slow with the babies, notrush along in the heat. What did she say?"

"Oh, she hasn't spoken at all. She lies just unconscious. "

"Good gracious! Oh, you don't think she will die?" and Mrs. Bordenreally turned pale with fright. 

"A person sometimes lies that way for days when overcome with theheat. The doctor can tell better tomorrow. "

"Oh, poor little Marilla! She is so sweet-tempered. And you were sogood not to send her off to a hospital. How ever should we have foundher! There is so little time. When shall we hear about this othergirl?"

"I will telephone as soon as I go home and tell them to send her inthe morning, " and Miss Armitage rose. 

"We are so much obliged. " She followed her visitor out in the hall. 

"Do not come down, " said Miss Armitage. "And I hope the babies willimprove. "

"Thank you--for everything. "

The sun was going down and some stray wafts of wind wandered along, which made the heat rather more endurable. 

"Jane, " she said as she walked into the room, "did you notice anybruise on the child's head while you were bathing her. She fell off ofthe steps it seemed. "

"There was none on her forehead. Her hair is very thick and I reallydid not look only to see that it was in a nice, clean condition. Shehasn't suffered for want of cleanliness. "

Then she told Jane all she had learned, adding:

"They seem very nice kind of people. But oh! those babies!"

Miss Armitage telephoned to the settlement House, stating the case. 

"Yes, Ellen Day was still there and would be very glad of theposition. She would go the first thing in the morning. "

Jane insisted on bringing in a cot and sleeping beside the little girlwho lay quite as still as if she were dead. Now and then she gave herthe drops and fanned the air about her. The morning came and the citywas astir again. But it was quiet in Loraine place. So many had goneaway and there were no trolleys nearby. 

They looked over Marilla's head and found one spot above the ear thathad a small bit of discoloration, but it was not in a dangerous place. The doctor came in. 

"I did not think there would be much change, " he said. Then he triedto rouse her. Jane held her up while they gave her a little milk whichshe swallowed without difficulty. She opened her eyes and closed themagain, then lay quiet. 

He listened to Miss Armitage's interview and nodded as she wentalong. 

"The child is terribly run down. I think she has worked harder thanany one imagined. But they seem to have appreciated her. "

No one could guess the strain of talking so incessantly to amuse thebabies, of reading to Jack, of having eyes all over to see that he didnot torment the little ones, push their playthings out of the way, give them sly pinches or tweak their hair. She did hate to tell taleson him. And when he coaxed to go out with her he was a constant care. School had been closed for a fortnight. Oh, how tired she was everynight!

"You don't eat more than a bird, " Bridget would complain. 

"But I'm never hungry now, I shall be so glad when we get to the realcountry, and grass, and everything. I'm so tired of the rows and rowsof red brick houses, and they all seem so hot. "

And now Bridget was almost heart broken. 

Ellen Day came in to tell Miss Armitage how glad she was that a goodword had been spoken for her. "And she was sure she should like theladies and the pretty little boy. But how fat the babies were and nota bit pretty. They were to start at twelve tomorrow. "

It was still hot, but in the afternoon it clouded up and the eveningbrought a most refreshing shower. The hot wave was broken. 

Sunday afternoon they had rolled the couch over by the window. MissArmitage sat reading. Jane had gone out for a walk. The child seemedto have grown thinner in these few days. 

She opened her eyes slowly and looked intently at the woman sittingthere in her soft, white attire. She was so sweet and pretty. 

"Are you a fairy godmother?" Marilla asked in a weak, wandering tone. 

"A--what?" smiling in surprise. 

"A fairy godmother. You don't look like the other one, but then it wasnight and we went to the King's ball. Oh, it was so splendid!"

"When was that?" in a soft, persuasive tone. 

"Oh, a long time ago. I was Cinderella, and every new Cinderelladances with the Prince, you know. Only they can't dance but once withhim. "

It was something the child had read, doubtless. 

"Do you feel better?" she asked tenderly. 

Marilla glanced around and sighed. Then she said in a frightenedtone--

"Oh, where am I? And where are the babies? I heard them cry. "

"You are all safe and right. And the babies and all the family wentdown on Long Island. "

"It's so queer. "

The eyelids drooped again and she fell asleep. 

An hour later she woke, and seemed to study the room and the lady. 

"I never was at fairyland but that once, " she said slowly. "Then therewas such lovely music and dancing and everybody was so gay. It'sbeautiful here and you are very sweet. I don't know how I came here. Must I go back?"

"Not until you are well. You have been ill. And you were broughthere----"

"I can't think. There were the babies. I went to get something andstumbled and everything looked so queer, blue and red and full ofstars, and then I went down and down and all was dark and I kept goingdown----"

"You fainted and were brought over here. The babies were taken home. And you have been ill, but now you are going to get well. "

"I've never been real ill. There were the measles once in the home andwe had to stay in bed. I was so hungry. Oh, do you know where Bridgetis? She was so good to me. "

"She is at Mr. Borden's. "

"Could I please to have a drink?"

Miss Armitage brought a glass of milk. 

"Would you like something to eat--a bit of custard?"

"I'm not hungry. But the milk was good. Thank you. Who brought me backfrom that great dark pit?"

"The doctor, I guess, " with a smile. 

"Could I be turned over?"

Miss Armitage turned her so her face was toward the sky. She drew along breath. 

"Do you mind if I should go to sleep?"

"Oh, no, and I'll read to you. "

The sweet voice soon lulled her to sleep. And she did not speak againall through the evening, but was rather restless all night. No one hadto watch with her now, but Miss Armitage was troubled at the soft, long sighs. 

CHAPTER V

THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

Marilla wondered what the bells were ringing for. And then pistolswere firing. Oh, yes, it was Fourth of July. She would get up--but herthin legs gave way and her head spun round. All the room was strange, and everybody seemed mixed up. Then a soft voice said--

"I hope you are better this morning. "

"I feel--queer--"

The face was flushed, the little hands were hot. 

"The doctor was afraid of fever, " Miss Armitage said to Jane, "and ithas come. "

But the doctor was in early. There would be so many calls on him, byand by. 

"Yes, it is fever. She seemed better yesterday. And she can't spareany strength to be burned up, so we must do our best. I don't daretreat her as you would a robust child, but I'll give her somethingevery hour, and get in again before night. Oh, no, I think it ishardly critical, " in answer to the lady's anxious look. 

Marilla did not seem to know any one. She muttered little catches oftalk about the babies and Jack, always pleading with him not to dothis or that. Once she laughed and waved her hand to and fro as if inresponse to music and said--"All the Cinderellas! How beautiful!"

A tall, plain-looking Irish woman came in at midafternoon. 

"Tell her it's Bridget, " she said. "Can't I see her?"

"Oh, yes, " replied Miss Armitage, "But I am afraid she will notrecognize you. "

So she led the way upstairs. Marilla lay on the cot now and was movingher hands as if acting something. 

"Ah, the dear!" Bridget knelt down by the side of the bed. "Don't youremember Bridget whose come to care for you so much? Ah dear! It'smeself that sorry enough to see ye lyin' this way, thin as a ghost. "

She opened her eyes, "Bridget! Oh, you know the night I went to theball and fairy godmother turned my old frock into the beautifullestfrock, all lace and ribbons. And I danced with the Prince and had sucha lovely time!"

Then the eyelids fell and she lapsed into unconsciousness. 

Miss Armitage glanced inquiringly. 

"It was along of a dream that she had once; it _was_ a dream for suchthings don't happen now-a-days, more's the pity. But she alwaysbelieves it real and true, the dear, that she was Cinderella, and hadbeen there. She's the best little thing I ever saw, and she never toldyou a lie or took a bit of cake without asking. In the beginning shemust have belonged to some nice folks; and just look at her prettyhands and feet, light and small enough to dance at any king's ball. But it's hard on the nice ones that have to go to Homes and be put outfor little drudges. Though they're nice people, the Bordens, as youmay guess by my stayin' with 'em goin' on five year. "

"And she wasn't over-worked, " ventured Miss Armitage. "She is sothin. "

"She's been falling away dreadful the last month. Well, she wasn't andshe was. There was an old lady living up on the third floor, an auntor something and she was afraid of bad spells, she did have some, andshe'd ring her bell for Marilla an' it would be upstairs an' down, sometimes way down to my kitchen, and lugging those two fat babies upand down the street----"

"Did she have to carry them any?"

"Oh, no. The mistress didn't want her to lift them. She was afraid ofa fall and their backs would get broken. So when they were big enoughthey sat on the floor and she talked to them and told them funnythings and acted 'em off and laughed, and they'd laugh too. It waslike a play to see 'em. And they'd jabber back and she'd make b'lieveshe understood it all. She was a wonderful child's nurse an' there'llbe trouble enough without her. But the babies went to bed early an'then she'd come down an' wipe the dishes for me an' they made no callon her. But Jack was a holy terror, he was that bad, but he went toschool in the spring. If he was mine I'd skin him alive. But it washard dragging them fat, heavy things around. Will you tell me just howyou come to find her? They've missed her so. They screech enough toraise the dead, an' I know it's for her. "

Miss Armitage told the incident over. 

"The saints bless and protect you ma'am for not lettin' her be sent toa hospital! But do you think she _can_ get well? And if that othermaid suits, couldn't you keep her here all summer and let her get goodand strong? I'm going out to my cousin at Fairfield to stay until nextMonday. The boss will be down with his folks until then, and all thevallerbles have been sent out of the house so we can leave it alone. And when I come back we may have a plan for the poor dear that isn'tbaby tendin'. O the little darlin'! Don't let her die, ma'am, she's sonice and sweet!"

She caught the little hand and kissed it, and winked away the tearsthat glistened in her eyes. 

"I'll do my best, you may be sure. And when you come back, I shall beglad to have a call from you. And by that time she may know us all. Thank you for your sympathy. "

Bridget nodded and turned away. Miss Armitage studied the little girlwith a new interest. She had seen beautiful children among the verypoor, in the slums, with no ancestry back of them. There was somethingabout this child--not beauty either, that set one to thinking. Shemust learn something about her. 

And then she smiled over the fancy of being Cinderella and dancingwith the Prince at the ball. What a happy dream it must have been forthe child! She was glad to hear that she had not been badly treated orill fed. She could trust the kindly Bridget for that. 

When the doctor came in Sunday morning a smile lighted up his face. 

"A real improvement, " he exclaimed. "No fever and a normaltemperature. Pulse stronger. Now, with nourishing diet and some saltin the baths we shall have her about again, though I've had severalpatients lie weeks in this state in the hot weather. "

Marilla glanced up and smiled back. 

"Why, I feel all well, " she began. "Couldn't I get up. "

"Yes, " said Miss Armitage. "Jane will you bring that small pink kimonaand put it on. "

She took the doctor over in the bay window. 

"The Borden's cook came in to see the child. She seemed very fond ofher and said she was the sweetest little thing. And that she waswonderful with the babies. I was glad she had not been 'put upon' asthey say over to the house. And that she always had enough to eat. Andshe wasn't allowed to lift the babies----"

"But dragged them about in the carriage. Such children are not strongenough for nursemaids. She was pretty well used up, and she'll besometime getting over it. "

"I've taken a curious fancy to the child. Jane thinks she must havebelonged to what we call 'nice people. ' She flattered me by asking, the first coherent words she uttered if I was not 'a fairy godmother?'Think of that!" smiling. 

"Well, _I_ think you have been that many a time. I wonder you haven'tfilled the house with children. "

"I'm always full of pity for them. But when they are cured and put insome place where they can do their best, and have a little love andcare, I go on to the next. I do not believe I am a real missionary, and I have a theory--it may not be a very noble one, " and a softcolor suffused her fine face, "that people who bring children into theworld ought to be made to feel the responsibility of them and notshift them on society at large, trusting Providence to take care ofthem. "

"That is what ought to be taught--the responsibility of children. Women as well as men sin in this respect. The woman who forgives thedrunken husband and takes him back until tired of working he goes offagain leaving another child to add to the poorly-fed throng she canhardly take care of. I think the man who goes off the second time, orwho does not take care of the children he has, should be put in someinstitution and made to earn their support. And the girls ought to beeducated up to better ideas of marriage. It doesn't near alwaysconduce to morality. I preach sermons to you--don't I?" and he gave ashort laugh. "And we can never set the world straight. But these Homesand Republics are doing a good work in training children to selfreliance. "

Jane wrapped the little girl in the kimona and lifted her up in thereclining chair. 

"Oh, that's so nice. How good you are! And everything is so lovely. Oh, I'll soon be well. "

Then the little face clouded over. Oh, she truly would not mind beingill if she could stay in this beautiful house where everything was soquiet. Jane went in and out, and presently she brought a cup of broth. How good it tasted!

"Would you mind if I went back to bed? I'm so sleepy. "

"Oh, no, " returned Jane, and she put her gently back on the cot whereshe soon fell asleep. 

There was slight rise of fever and restlessness about noon. She talkedin broken snatches imploring Jack not to do this or that and not topinch the babies. Then she was so tired, so tired! But aboutmidafternoon, she seemed to rouse and come to herself and said she washungry. There was broth and hot milk and some stewed fruit, and Janebrushed her hair that fell in a bed of rings and asked if she didn'twant to sit up. She brought her over by the window so she could lookout, but the back yard was very pretty for it was gay with bloomingflowers. 

Miss Armitage had been to church, and at two she had a class of younggirls who were clerks in stores. Half of them were going away onMonday to the Rest House for a week, and they were full of that. Twoof them had never been before. Was it like Coney Island?

"It is not far from the shore, the broad Sound that leads out to theocean. But there are not side shows. Just rowing and bathing, and aride every day in a big omnibus. And plenty of girls. Oh, you won't belonesome;" and Miss Armitage smiled. 

"Another girl and I went away last summer to a house that wasn'tcountry but a beautiful street with lawns in front. There were threeladies, and oh, they were so particular. They did not have any storypapers and the books were all dull and religious and if you took upone you must put it back in the same place. They didn't like us totalk 'store' nor sing any street songs and one lady only played hymnson the piano. Oh, we _were_ so homesick. "

"The Rest House has a big farm and chickens and two cows, and atennis court and croquet. And there are lovely walks. And hammocks andswings. "

"That's the ticket!" said one of the girls. "You want some fun. "

Miss Armitage did not check her. She thought of the amusements andpleasures of her youth. Then she came home to her little girl whoseface lighted up with gladness, and who put out her thin hand. 

"You look lovely, " Marilla said. "And I'm getting almost well. "

"That is good news, " and the lady smiled. 

"Only it seems so queer when I try to think. It is such a long while. I seem to have been lost and couldn't find my way out. Do you knowwhere the babies are?"

"They all went down to Long Island. I sent them a new girl. AndBridget was here to inquire about you. "

"Oh, she was so good to me. I was a little afraid of her at first, especially when she said she'd 'skin me alive. ' Don't you think itwould hurt dreadfully? She used to threaten Jack, but she never didit. And she said that about the fairy godmother and the King's ballwas a dream. What is it that goes to strange places when you areasleep? And how can you enjoy and remember all, and hear the music fordays afterward? If there are two lives, one for day and one for night, why doesn't the night one go straight on?"

"You'll have to ask the doctor these curious puzzles. They are beyondme. "

"Is Bridget at the house?" she inquired after a moment's thought. 

"She was going away to some cousin to stay a week as Mr. Borden willbe down to--Bayside, I think it is, all the week. "

"When I get well I suppose I shall have to go back to the babies. Youknow I am a bound out girl--until I am eighteen. But they'll begrowing bigger all the time. I wish they were as pretty as Jack. Don'tyou think all babies ought to be pretty? And have curly hair?"

"I think the curly hair quite an addition. "

"There's another puzzle. Why should some hair curl and some hair keepstraight?"

"I don't know. But your's is curly, " smiling. 

"Yes, I like it. At the Home there were two other girls with curlyhair. And the nurse said it made us vain, so she cut it close to theskin and she said it wouldn't curl any more. That was last summer. Butit did when it grew out, and I was glad. I tried to make the babiescurl, and Mrs. Borden said she'd give me a silver dollar if I could. But it was _so_ straight and there wasn't much of it. Do you rememberthe fat little girl of the Campbell's Soups? The babies look a gooddeal like her. They have high foreheads and round eyes full of wonder, and such chubby cheeks. But Aunt Florence said Mr. Borden was justsuch a baby and he isn't at all chubby now and has dark eyes. Jack'sare dark. Maybe they'll grow prettier. But they're good and--funny. They laugh over everything, and they seem to understand everything Isay or read to them. I wonder if they will like the new girl. "

"She is very pleased and, I think, patient--four years older thanyou. "

"Oh, suppose they didn't want me back?" and the child drew a longbreath of half fear. 

"There will be something else, " in an assuring tone. 

Marilla leaned her head back on the pillow. She had talked herselftired. How queer that was, too, when she had talked for hours to thebabies. 

"Would you like me to read to you?" inquired Miss Armitage. 

"Oh, yes, if it's verses. There's a curious music in verses that goesall through you, keeping time to something in your brain. I just lovethem. "

The lady found "Songs of Seven" with its musical lilt and the childlistened wide-eyed as if it made pictures to her. Then the doctor camein and was very much pleased over her improvement. 

But the next day she was quite languid again. She took a few stepswhen suddenly everything swam before her eyes and she would havefallen but for Jane's strong arm. 

"Oh, you don't suppose I can never walk any more?" she cried inaffright. "For there was a nurse at the Home who fell down that wayand she had been very well, too. But something happened to her hips. Ican't think what they called it, and she never could walk again. Theyhad to send her to the hospital and she could get about just a littleon crutches. Oh, dear" and Marilla began to cry. 

"There don't think of such a thing. It was only weakness, " comfortedMiss Armitage. "Once when I was ill I fainted a great many times forjust nothing at all. You have not had a chance to get strong yet. "

Marilla recalled seeing the nurse brought down stairs on a stretcher, they called it. And the doctor said she could never walk again. Oh, how dreadful that would be. She turned her face over on the pillow andlet the tears drop silently, and she could not swallow any supper, something lay so heavy on her breast. Miss Armitage kissed her, andMarilla twined her arms around the soft white neck hardly hidden bythe lace. There had never been any one to love during the later years. And her mother had been busy and away in a store. 

"Don't worry, dear, " said the soothing voice. "God takes care of usall. "

The sun was shining the next morning and the next door canary hangingout on the back porch was singing with all his might and main. Suchlong sweet warbles, such a merry staccato with little pauses, as if heasked--"Now, what do you think of that?" and the child laughed with asense of glee. Oh, how nice it would be to be a bird. But she wouldn'twant to live in a cage _all_ the time. 

Jane came and gave her a bath, rubbed her softly but thoroughly acrossthe hips and up and down the spine, holding her up with one strongarm. Marilla took a frightened step, then another and laughingly flungher arms around Jane's neck, crying--

"Oh, I can walk! I can walk!"

"Why did you think you could never walk again?" Jane laughedwholesomely. 

"I felt so queer--and I thought of the woman at the Home. "

"But she must have been quite an old body. They do get paralyzed;children don't. Oh, you must not think of dreadful things. Come, seehow you can walk. "

Jane's arm was around her and she led her back to the room and dressedher. Miss Armitage came up just then and greeted her with a happysmile. But Marilla felt shaky and was very glad to sit down on thecouch. 

"Now I shall bring you up some breakfast, " said Jane. 

"Don't you suppose I could go down and have some real breakfast at thetable--not today, but sometime. "

Then Marilla flushed. She was a bound-out girl and had always takenher meals with Bridget. 

"Yes, I think so. We will see what the doctor says this morning. Ishall have to go out presently and see twenty girls get started for avacation. They are in stores and factories, and have two weeks in thesummer, and the Rest House doesn't charge any board--they earn solittle. When you are well enough to travel about, I must take you outto the House. "

Maybe she wouldn't have to go back to the babies right away!

The breakfast tasted good, though it was only a poached egg and sometoast. But she didn't seem very hungry, and though she felt sort ofjoyously well at heart her body was tired and she lay on the couch torest. The doctor found her quiet and there was a whimsical lightplaying over his face and settling in his eyes. 

"So you haven't run away yet?" he began. 

"I don't believe I could run very far. Yet I seem quite well--and it'squeer, too. "

Jane said you fainted yesterday. 

"Well it was--something, and then I was frightened--"

"Stand up a moment. " He helped her to her feet, then he passed hishand down her spine and over her hips. "Does it hurt any?" he asked. 

"No, not a real hurt. "

"You fell off of the stoop over there, a boy said. "

"The baby dropped something and I went to pick it up, I guess Istumbled. And when I turned round everything was upside down and blackand I don't remember any more until I was over here. Miss Armitage wasso good, is so good. "

"Yes; well it might have been worse. But I think now you are on thehigh road to health again. "

"I've never been real sick unless this is it, " and she gave a vaguesmile. 

"I think it is, " nodding humorously. "The babies have been rather toomuch for you this hot weather. Were you very fond of them?"

"Well, they were not bad and very funny. You can't love bad people. "

"Oh, can't you?"

"No, you can't, " with an emphasis. "You may like them and thinkthey're pretty and sweet sometimes, but you don't truly love them Imean you wouldn't choose them if you had you choice. "

"Which you don't often have in this world. Now what would be yourchoice?"

"Oh, I'd like to stay here. I don't know what I'd do if I was MissArmitage's bound-out girl. Jane does everything and--cook does themeals. She might let me wipe the dishes. But--maybe you don't know I'mbound-out to Mrs. Borden until I'm eighteen, so I shall have to goback. And the babies need me. I'm teaching them to talk. I'm almostCinderella, not the kitchen kind, though I wouldn't mind that withBridget. "

"I heard you went to the King's ball with a fairy godmother. Would youmind telling me?"

Marilla colored. Yes, she would be quite pretty if she wasn't sothin. 

"Why it was just a dream. And I was asleep by the kitchen stove. Ihadn't any belief in her at first. Oh, do you know anything about thatcurious part of your brain that dreams?"

"No, I do not. I think no one really does. I suppose you had beenreading about Cinderella. "

"I used to read it over to the babies, or tell them. But there was RedRiding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk and Hop o' My Thumb. Jack hadthem all, but I never dreamed of them. And the babies seemed tounderstand them all. They laughed at the funny places and they lookedso shocked at the dreadful things, and were so pleased when the oldwolf fell down the chimney, dead. Why it was just delightful to me, only sometimes I did get tired talking so much and had to wait for mybreath. "

"Are you tired now?" and he listened a moment to her heart. 

"Oh, no. I feel all good and rested, and Jane said I ate a nicebreakfast. I'm almost well, though I wouldn't mind being ill a long, long while if I could stay here. There was a little girl once who diedand went to heaven. Miss Florence had the book. That wasn't any fairystory, and I think this must be a good deal like heaven. It's so quietwith no one troubling you, and when Miss Armitage plays----"

Her soft eyes were like wind-blown lakes and the far-away sight movedhim inexpressibly. 

"Suppose you tell me about the dream?"

"Oh, you'll only laugh at me. "

"No, I won't laugh. I never knew a Cinderella who went to the palaceand danced with the King's son. "

He drew her up a little in the bed and placed the pillows around her. Then he seated himself on the couch at her feet and smiled sopersuasively that she really couldn't resist. She pictured the kitchenand how comfortably she had settled herself and--she really couldn'thave been asleep she saw everything so plainly and, at first, she didnot believe the fairy godmother. 

Dr. Richards was really charmed as she went on. It was all so vivid, so beautiful. She appeared to have a better command of language thanmost children of her years, and the whole picture was exquisite. Why, it seemed very real to him. And her face was a study. Surely the childmust be a genius, she made the things so real and not overdrawn. Averitable fairy palace. 

Then she drew a long breath and a lovely smile irradiated her eyes. 

"I'm so glad I went, " she said in a satisfied tone, freighted with acertain joyousness that appealed to his heart. She really wastransfigured at that moment. What possibilities were lying in her soulunawakened. The little bound-out girl would never, could never realizethem alone in her fight with life. For he had known:

 "Full many a flower is born to blush unseen And waste its sweetness on the desert, air. "

When a helping hand would have transplanted it into a garden ofappreciation. 

A sudden fatherhood stirred within him. He had thought more than onceof the woman he would like for his wife; now he wanted this littlegirl to grow up by his side and bloom with the sacred joy within her. 

"I'm glad, too, " he said in a strange, full voice that trembled withemotion. 

CHAPTER VI

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Doctor Richards went slowly down stairs, Miss Armitage let herself inwith her latch key. 

"How is my little patient today?" she asked. 

"Stronger in some respects. But I don't quite like the heart action. And I'm afraid I haven't improved it any. "

"Oh, you did not scold her--?" in a half upbraiding tone. 

"No, no. But I coaxed that dream story out of her and several otherthings. In a year or two more those Borden babies will have her allworn out. So many of the little Cinderellas don't get half a chancewith life, the stolid ones do better. But she could hold an audiencewith that story, if she was not afraid of the audience, " smiling alittle, "and the lovely expressions that flit over her face! She isnot the usual child. "

"I've been a little afraid to think that. So many of the childprodigies flatten out and make ordinary people. "

"And some of them never get the true opportunity. I've a boy under myobservation who is going to make a first-class surgeon, and I'mpersuading a man to educate him. His father is going to put him in afoundry. Think of hands fitted for the nicest surgery being coarsenedby contact with rough iron and hard tools. He would lose the finetouch by hard manual labor if he worked for his education. No oneknows all the children sacrificed to Moloch. But the little girl! Ofcourse she thinks of going back. She isn't even tugging at the chain. But I, for one, don't believe God puts people in just the place Hewants them to stay, when He must see that they can't work out. Well--did you get the girls off?"

"Yes, and they were a delighted lot. Three only are to have theirwages paid. Yet an employer told me about a week ago he had subscribedtwenty-five dollars to one of these girls' summer homes. That at fourdollars a week would have paid six girl's a week's wages. His namegoes down on the generous list of course. Oh, I don't wonder peoplelike to do the things that show! The things that only God can know donot come up for credit. But it is 'deal justly' first of all. "

"I'd like to stay and talk--but there is a serious matter before me. Take good care of our little girl--but I needn't charge _you_. I'll bein again tomorrow. "

Miss Armitage went slowly upstairs, paused a few moments at her deskto jot down some items. When she went through to the next room, Marilla was asleep. The little face was framed in with rings ofshining hair, the lips were palely pink and parted with a half smile, the skin still showed blue veins. With a little care, such as richpeople gave their children, she might grow up pretty, she would alwaysbe sweet. And the pudgy babies with their wondering eyes loved her!

Marilla improved slowly but surely. She walked from room to room, andone day she went down stairs to luncheon. Just the small round tablein the recess by the side window set out with all manner of prettydishes and a pretty glass basket of flowers in the center. And therewas Jane to wait upon them, and she seemed so pleased to have Marilladown stairs though the little girl had held tight to the bannister, lest she should lose her balance and fall. Everything looked so cooland sweet. The pictures were of woods and lakes, or a bit of sedgyriver. There were fine sheer draperies at the windows, a tall vase offlowers on the beautiful centerpiece that adorned the real diningtable. 

Oh, how good the delicate asparagus soup tasted. And the cold chicken, the rice and the dainty potato cake. Marilla was all smiles inside, she could feel the quiver. She had not been waited on this way sincethe night in fairy land. Bridget had a way of shoving things towardyou or asking you to get up and help yourself. But then, Bridget haddone the cooking and was tired, and Marilla was glad to wait on her. 

After the dessert, they went through to the drawing room and thatlooked lovely to the little girl. There was a portfolio of engravingson a sort of stand, and you could sit there and turn them over withoutany effort. There were so many pretty children among them, and some ofroyal families that were to be kings and queens. 

The postman came and Jane brought in a handful of letters. MissArmitage looked them over casually. Here was one from Bayside and sheopened it. 

"My dear Miss Armitage, " it began. 

"I don't know how we can thank you for taking Marilla in as you did, and by this time I hope she is about well. Mr. Borden comes up onSaturday morning to see a client and will call for Marilla at abouttwo. We simply can't do without her. We've had the most awful time!Two babies getting four teeth apiece are enough to drive one crazy. There was no trouble about the other teeth, but I think it would nothave been so bad if we'd had Marilla. They have missed her and criedafter her and no one could get them asleep until they were fairly wornout and then they sobbed in the most heartbreaking way. We've had norest day or night. Ellen is very good and patient, but the babiessimply won't let her touch them. Marilla always knew just what to do. She was so entertaining. She certainly was born for a nurse girl, though I thought she was most too young when I took her, I've neverlet her lift them, for they're like a lump of lead. They have grownthinner and I do hope it will keep on, unless Marilla makes them laughso much they fat up again. They have each cut two teeth and they hadto be lanced. Sister and I have had an awful time. We shall be so gladto get Marilla back. I think Ellen will not be a success as a child'snurse. And I can get her a first-class place as a parlor maid whereshe can have eighteen dollars a month, which I couldn't afford to pay. There is a cook and a laundress kept, so she won't lose by comingdown. She is very nice, pleasant and tidy, and we had to have some onein the emergency. And poor little Marilla must have gone to a hospitalbut for your kindness. We are all so obliged and if Mr. Borden can beof service to you, sometime, he will be very glad. These are thefavors money cannot repay. 

"So if you will have Marilla ready about two o'clock on Saturday, Mr. Borden will call for her. If she needs a dress will you kindlypurchase it and tell him. We have all her clothes down here. There isa beautiful big lawn with hammocks and everything, and if she is notvery strong yet she can have sea bathing which is splendid, and finediet. And we certainly are your deeply grateful friends. 

 "Mrs. Mary Borden. "

Miss Armitage read the letter over twice and watched the pale littlegirl enjoying the pictures. It was not quite a heartless letter but, it had no special sympathy for the poor little Cinderella, if she didnot have to sit in the ashes. Then she laid it by and went at theothers. 

"Please Miss Armitage, may I go upstairs? I am so tired. What do yousuppose makes me feel tired so easily?"

"You are not strong yet. Yes, we will go upstairs and you must liedown. "

She placed her arm around the slender body. Marilla kissed the whitehand. 

The doctor came in the next morning, and Miss Armitage handed him theletter. 

"Has the average woman any soul!" he exclaimed angrily. 

"Mrs. Borden has had no means of knowing how severe the case reallywas----"

"See here, she might have written on--say Tuesday and inquired. WhyMarilla might have died with just a little more. She doesn't go. Shewon't be strong enough to bother with teething babies in some timeyet, if at all. "

"Oh, you don't think----"

"She has a weak heart. It may have come from the shock and there istime enough for her to outgrow it, with care. Are you going to tire ofher?"

She saw there was no doubt in his face and smiled. 

"Marilla's no more trouble than a kitten. Jane is positively in lovewith her. I'm not sure but I shall ask to have her transferred tome. "

"Hilda Armitage you ought to be the mother of girls. I don't knowabout the boys, " with a doubtful laugh. 

"I've had two disappointments. "

"I told you that Conklin girl was not worth the trouble. She's singingin a vaudeville show and it _does_ suit her. You couldn't get anyrefined ambition in that vain and silly brain. It is casting pearlsbefore swine. Save the pearls for some one worthy. _She_ doesn't goback to the Borden's this summer. When you get tired of her----"

"Shall we quarrel about her?" She glanced up with an odd, humoroussmile. 

"Perhaps we shall in the end, but that is a good way off. When thatman comes today, just let him see Marilla. "

Mr. Borden came punctually at two and was quite profuse in his thanksfor Miss Armitage's kindness. 

"I regret to say that Marilla has progressed very slowly. She hadquite an exhausting fever at first. She was not able to comedownstairs until yesterday, and lies down several times through theday. "

"Is it possible! Why we thought--and we need her so much! Did you--"he flushed a little, "have a good physician?"

"An excellent one whose practice is mostly among children. He thoughther quite worn out, but it was being overcome with the heat and shefell off the steps. It was near congestion of the brain I believe. "

"I'm awfully sorry. We were so busy just then, and my wife was worriedto death. The babies had always been so good, but I can't imagineanything being so--so dreadful as they've been for a week. I'vescarcely slept an hour at a time and Mrs. Borden is clear worn out. She thinks just the sight of Marilla would comfort them. We might goon keeping that Ellen, though the babies won't take to her. I thinkMarilla charmed them; but they're always been good until now. Andthere's four more teeth to come through, " in a despairing sort oftone. 

Miss Armitage had large sympathy and she felt really sorry for him. Yet how providential that Marilla had missed the care!

"You have had a very bad time, certainly, and it is fortunate thatMarilla didn't give out on your hands. Would you like to see her, though I think she is asleep. "

"Yes--oh yes. If we kept Ellen, don't you think she might come downnext week. The sea-bathing would no doubt strengthen her. "

"She has some heart weakness. I'm afraid she couldn't stand thebathing. "

Then she rose and led the way up stairs. 

Marilla was asleep. Mr. Borden studied her in surprise. 

"Why, she's grown dreadfully thin. Yes, she must have been very ill, but like the babies, she'd always been well. I'm awful sorry. I don'tknow what we shall do. Mrs. Borden had counted so on her coming. Andshe said over half a dozen times that I must not forget to thank youfor all this kindness. You must send me the doctor's bill. She's sucha nice child, Miss Armitage. "

Marilla stirred and opened her eyes, closed them sighed and openedthem again, then half murmured--"Oh, doctor, " and started. 

"Marilla, child, don't you remember Mr. Borden?"

"I had not told her about your coming. We keep her as tranquil aspossible. "

"Oh, Mr. Borden!" Marilla sat up. "And the babies?"

"The babies are in a very poor way, Marilla. They certainly arehomesick for you. We try to keep them comforted with the promise ofyou. Oh, I hoped you would be well enough to go down with me thisafternoon. Their mother will be telling them you will surely come. Poor little girl, but you are going to get well, aren't you? And Jackthinks there's no fun without you, and no one to read to him or tellhim stories. "

The child gave a vague smile. She was very glad to be away from Jack;indeed, sick babies did not appear attractive to her just now, but shesaid--

"Oh, I'm very sorry. The doctor said it was the heat and----"

"It was awfully hot that week. That made the babies worse. Oh, if Icould take you down just to amuse them. You made them laugh so, Marilla. You know just how to do it. Well--it can't be helped, but youmust try to get well and have some good of the pretty country place. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Miss Armitage is so good. And Jane and the doctor. And the yard isfull of flowers. I'm very happy. "

"I suppose so. Maybe you won't want to come back. But you belong tous, you know and we can't give you up. "

Then he turned to go. 

"Will you kiss the babies for me and tell them how sorry I am, and askJack not to tease them, and--and--" she swallowed over a great lump inher throat--"I shall come back when I get well. "

"That's a good girl. Good-bye. I shall be in town next week and willcome in and see you. "

He gave the little hand a clasp. Miss Armitage went down with him. Marilla turned her face over on the pillow and cried as if her heartwould break. Could she go back to the babies and Jack? And Bridgetwasn't as sweet as Jane, and there was sharp Aunt Hetty----

"My dear! My dear!" said the soft voice with its infinite pity, andthe sweet lips kissed hers. 

"Oh, Miss Armitage, won't God take you to heaven if you pray veryhard? I should hate to leave you and the dear, nice doctor, but I'mafraid I don't want to go back to the babies and Jack. I'm tired ofthem, and I feel as if it was foolish to be funny when there are somany sweet things to think of and books to read and your beautifulmusic. But I must go away from all that, and somehow heaven looksnicer. And when you die doesn't an angel come and take you in his armsand just carry you up and up to the other side of the sky whereeverything is peace and loveliness, and no one will torment you----"

"Oh my child, perhaps God wants you to live here a little longer anddo some work for him. The doctor would be very sorry not to have youget well. Some one might say--'He let that little girl die when hemight have saved her, ' but they wouldn't know it was because she keptbrooding over it all the time and would make no effort to get well. God knows what is best for us. "

"I didn't mind about going back. But today it seemed to be--dreadful, "with a convulsive sob. 

"Then we have spoiled you. Oh, I am sorry for that. "

"Oh, dear Miss Armitage, don't be sorry when you have been so good. But I don't quite understand how anyone can bind you out and make youstay years if you didn't want to. "

"But children do not know what is best for them. Some go wanderinground the streets without any home and are picked up and put in aplace almost like a prison where they have to work whether they likeit or not. And some even have cruel fathers and mothers. You said theBordens were good to you. Would you rather be there or at the Home?"

"Oh, I'd rather be there than at the Home, but----" and she swallowedhard over a sob. 

"If they worked you beyond reason or half starved you a complaintcould be made but they all seem to love you----"

Miss Armitage smiled with a soft kind of sadness, as if she wished thetruth were not quite so true, and the things that looked so delightfulwere not so often the thing it was best to give up for honor's sake. 

"Yes, they do love me, babies and all, and of course I must go backwhen I am well enough. "

Then she turned her face away and tried to keep back the tears. Janeentered at that moment and the tension was broken. 

Miss Armitage read verses to her after she was in bed that evening, and kissed her good night with motherly tenderness. Then she sat forsome time and thought. 

Why should she have taken a fancy to this little girl? She had seenprettier children who were homeless and helped provide for them. TheBordens were not rough or heartless. Bridget had spoken well of them. The child had a comfortable home, and she was bound in honor. It wouldbe mean to entice her to break the bargain, to make her dissatisfied. No, she must not do that. 

Miss Armitage's life lines had run along smoothly through girlhood. Her mother was a widow and they had a comfortable income. Hilda had agood voice and sang in church, gave some music lessons. There had beena lover and a dear friend and the old tragedy had occurred, that mighthave been more heartbreaking if her mother had not been taken ill. Fordays her recovery was doubtful. Then an uncle at Los Angeles besoughther to come out to that genial clime and spend her remaining days withhim, for now he was quite alone. 

Hilda made all preparations. Such of the furniture as had intrinsicvalue was to be stored with a friend, the rest sold. And then Mrs. Armitage had an unlooked for relapse and Hilda went out alone. 

Her uncle was a kindly man past middle life and he took an instantfancy to Hilda. The house and its surroundings were lovelinessitself. Life here would be really enchanting. It was such a beautifulworld. 

"But you have not seen half of it yet. Hilda, what would you say togoing abroad? I've wanted to half my life. But my wife, as you haveheard, was an invalid and not inclined to travel. We lost our twochildren. I'm not too old to start out now and view some things withthe eyes of an enthusiastic young girl. "

So abroad they went. She had seven years of the richness of the oldworld, learning languages, listening to music that stirred every pulseof her soul, haunting art galleries with loving companionship thatsomehow saw the best and most beautiful in everything if it was notalways high art. 

And then she returned alone. It seemed more of a loss than the deathof her mother. She remained awhile in California settling up somebusiness and then the longing seized her to return to the home of heryouth, to have a real home where she could make the center she wasstill dreaming of, surround herself with friends and do somethingworth while with her money. 

Newton had changed as well, enlarged its boundaries and made itselfbeautiful at the northern end. The shops and factories were kept downby the railroad center where two important lines crossed, and theriver was navigable. Then Main Street was devoted to really finestores, Brandon to offices and men's businesses, the Postoffice beingthere. A handsome library building adorned Broadway, there were OrphanHomes, an Old Ladies' Home, a Social Settlement. 

Miss Armitage liked the aspect of it. Boarding at a hotel for awhileshe looked about and decided on Loraine place. The houses stood in arow, but they had a pretty court yard in front, and a real stretch ofground at the back for grass and flowers and two fine fruit trees. 

Of course old friends sought her out. Perhaps the fortune helped. Theyoung girls of her time were matrons with growing children. How odd itseemed! She thought sometimes that she felt reprehensibly young, as ifshe was having girlhood over again in her heart, but it was a richer, wiser and more fervent girlhood, with the added experiences of thewoman. 

There were many things for her to take an interest in but they finallysettled around the babies and little children's hospital, and theSettlement House. In a way, she was fond of the sweet, helpless babieswho seemed so very dependent on human kindness. If there was one ofher own flesh and blood it would take possession of her very soul, allher thoughts, all her affection. But it should have been hers earlierin life. Now she wanted companionship. She could not wait for it todevelop and then find unpleasant traits that had come from alienblood. No, she could not adopt a baby and wait a dozen years to knowwhether it would satisfy or not. 

She had helped two or three girls to better things. One through thelast two years of High School and who was now teaching. And there hadbeen one with a charming voice and an attractive face who had beeninjured in a mill and who would never have perfect use of her righthand. If she could be trained for a singer!

She and Doctor Richards came to words about her. He said plainly shewould not be worth the money spent upon her. But Miss Armitageinsisted on spending it a year when the girl threw up her friend andjoined a concert troupe, slipping presently into vaudeville where she_was_ a success. 

And out of the dispute came a proffer of love and marriage. AlvahRichards had begun life at the opposite pole from Miss Armitage. Therehad been a fortune, a love for the study of medicine, a degree inVienna and one at Paris. Then most of the fortune had been swept away. He returned to America and some way drifted to Newton. They were juststarting the hospital and he found plenty to do. He could livefrugally. To help his still poorer fellow creatures in suffering, torestore them to strength and teach them to be useful members ofsociety, or to comfort them and make the path easier over the river tothe other country; this was his highest aim. 

Miss Armitage was almost dumb with surprise. She raised her hand inentreaty. 

"Oh, don't! don't, " she cried. "It is quite impossible; it cannot be. I like you very much, but I am not in love. And then----"

"Then what?" with eager eyes and incisive voice. 

"You had a birthday last week. I heard you telling it. You arethirty-one. "

"Well--" There was a proud smile on his manly face. 

"And when my birthday comes, I shall be thirty-six. When you aresixty, rich in experience, famous, a real man among men, I shall bequite an old woman. No, I shouldn't do it for your sake. "

"As if a few years made any difference! Why you could discount sevenyears at least. Have you been loved so much that you can throw away aman's honest, honorable, tender love that will last all his life, thatwear it as you like, in any stress, you can never wear out. "

"Oh, " she cried. "You have spoiled a splendid friendship. I liked youso much, I have no love to give in return. "

"Then let us be friends again. I would rather have you for a friendthan any other woman for a wife. I simply will not give you up. "

So the pendulum went on swinging evenly between the two points, whenCinderella entered both lives. 

And now it was Sunday morning and the chimes were pealing--"Oh, comeall ye faithful. " Marilla listened with a throb of joy, though she didnot know the words they were saying in sweetest melody. Miss Armitagecame and stood by the cot with a cordial good morning. 

Marilla stretched out her hand and glanced up with an entreating sortof smile. 

"Was I very bad last night?" she asked in a wistful tone. 

"Bad? Why--what was it?"

"I've been thinking it over. Oh, I didn't want to go back to Mrs. Borden. It is so lovely and quiet and beautiful here. But it _is_right. I am her bound-out girl, and I _was_ glad to go there. Youwouldn't like me to be always looking for what was nice and pleasantand shirking other things, would you?"

"Dear. " She stooped and kissed her. She had been going over somearguments fitted for a child's understanding, and she was afraid of arather painful time. And the worst to her was the fact that she hadcome to love the child and really desired her. 

"The babies, you know, are so fond of me, and they are all very good. So I wouldn't have any reason for not staying with them. And it willbe only five years more, then I shall be eighteen. And I thought--"flushing daintily, "that maybe Jane might marry, and you would wantsome one in her place and if it was--me, " rather tremulously--"I couldcome--I love you so. I'd be your Cinderella always. And when I go backit will be like the King's ball--I shall keep thinking how lovely itwas for you to bring me here instead of sending me to a hospital, andit will comfort me just as the music did. "

Miss Armitage bent over and kissed her but there were tears in hereyes. She was touched with the child's reasoning that was so likeheroism. 

"Yes, dear, " she said. "We will think of it that way. And if youshould be ill at any time, I will have you brought here, and you shallstop when you take the babies out and let me see them, and rest alittle. "

"Oh that will be just lovely. You are so good, " and she kissed thewhite hand lying on her shoulder. 

Then Jane came in and she had her bath. How delightful it was to berubbed so carefully, to have her curly mop brushed. 

"I ought to dress myself now. Why I'm not sick at all only I get tiredeasily, but I am stronger every day. "

The breakfast was so nice. And to be waited upon! Marilla gave aninward laugh of delight. 

And while Miss Armitage was at church, Dr. Richards came and bundledher up, carried her downstairs and deposited her in the buggy. He wasvery merry, somehow. He was going out in the country and, oh, howbeautiful everything was! There had been a shower in the night and theair was full of fragrance from the grass, the pines and cedars, theorchards, wild flowers, and newly cut hay, that had not all beengathered in. Children ran about or swung in hammocks. Hens were fairlyshouting with no regard for Sunday. Birds were caroling all sorts ofjoyous tunes and the tree twigs were gaily dancing. And here and theresuch beautiful drifts went over the sky, ships, she called them. Theywere going to fairy land--something that was not quite heaven, but alovely place for all that. There must be so many lovely places inthis great world! Over the ocean where Miss Armitage had been, and sherecalled the castles and palaces and beautiful woods, and peasantsdancing on the green and laughing; that she had seen in the portfolioof engravings. And the legends she had listened to! Oh, if she couldgo to school and learn ever so many things _now_, for when she waseighteen she would be too old, and a kind of perplexity settled in hersmooth forehead. 

CHAPTER VII

A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED

Dr. Richards had been studying the changes in the child's face. It waslike reading a book, but it had many variations. Her thoughts musthave traveled far and wide. What were they?

"Are you very happy?" he asked. 

"Happy?" she echoed, wonderingly. "Why it is a beautiful Sunday. Oneought to be happy--here with you and watching all these lovelythings. "

"Are Sundays happier than any other days?"

"Well--" slowly. "They ought to be. It seems as if it was the day ofthe Sun, and that's always glad and merry. "

"But when it rains or is cloudy?"

"Oh, you _know_ it is there, and maybe He is fighting away the clouds. And He draws up the water. I read that in a book--and when He getsenough He lets it fall down as He did last night and that makes theworld so fresh and sweet. And there are fifty-two Sundays when youought not----"

"What?" watching the shadow in her eyes. 

"Well, I think you ought not work very much. I suppose some peoplehave to when you have meals to get and babies to see to. I go toSunday school with Jack and I like it so much. I've learned ever somany of the songs. But the lessons puzzle me. They are about God--wehad them in the Home, you know, and God seems so big and strange. Doyou know all about him. "

"No, child, and no one, not even ministers can know all, so you neednot worry about that. God has the whole world in His keeping. Don'tyou like the week days?"

"Well, they don't seem to have the same joy in them, only at MissArmitage's every day seems like Sunday. But I keep counting them. Yousee, I'll be thirteen in September. Then when we've had fifty-twoSundays I'll be fourteen and so on, until I am eighteen. "

"And then?" in a sweet kind of tone. 

"Why I won't be bound-out any more. It's right for me to stay, _she_said so, but it would seem such a long while if I was just countingthe years. And Sunday comes so quick, most times, and then you can beglad. "

What a touch of philosophy for a child!

"But--they are good to you at Bordens?"

"Oh, yes. I _love_ Bridget, though I was afraid of her at first. Butthe grown people have each other and since I don't really belong tothem--oh, I can't explain it, " and the knot came back to her brow. "You see when you're bound-out and going away for a while they can'tfeel the same to you. They're never real cross and they don't whip youas they did at the Home, and you have nicer things to eat. Sometimeswhen you were awful hungry you didn't seem to get enough. You wantedone more piece of bread, but you couldn't have it. Oh, I like it somuch better at Mrs. Borden's Only Jack--Are boys always bad?"

"I guess they are for the most part, " laughing. 

"But he will go to school again. And his father says he will outgrowit. His father truly does want him to be good, and he said I must tellwhen he pinched me or kicked me, and he would punish him. But I don'tlike to, always, for he denies it, and his mother isn't pleased when Ido. You can feel when people do not like you to tell things. At theHome when you told tales they whipped the child that was bad, and thenthey whipped you for telling tales. It didn't seem as if that wasquite fair, so I tried never to tell on anyone. "

"Generally speaking, it is a bad habit, " he commented, gravely. 

Then they had reached their destination. A poor old paralyzed man satin a wheeling chair on the porch. Medical skill could not do much forhim, but friendship and interest made pleasant times to remember whenthe hours were long and weary. Dr. Richards had brought someillustrated magazines, and they talked over the happenings of theweek. 

A sweet-faced, rather elderly lady brought Marilla a rocking chair, and asked her if she was the doctor's patient. Then she offered her apiece of cake and a lovely pear, and afterward took her down to seethe flower garden that was fairly rioting in beauty, and a flock ofsnowy white chickens, as well as some fine pigeons that circledaround like swallows. She was the wife, and there was a daughter whohad gone to church. She talked of Dr. Richards, how good andcomforting he was to "father. " Marilla thought he must be good toeverybody. 

"I've had a lovely time with you, " the child said. Then she shookhands with "father, " who said--

"I s'pose you're the doctor's little girl?" His mind was not alwaysclear on some points. "Come again, won't you?"

She smiled and nodded. "The doctor's little girl, " how sweet itsounded! But of course that could not be. 

They had a delightful ride home though it was growing warmer. Howbeautiful her eyes were today--a sort of gray-violet, and the bronzelashes almost curled. And as he listened to her soft, flowing voice, he kept thinking--if he was to marry some one and have a little girlfull of quaint ideas as this one was! But it would take a long, longwhile, and he sighed. 

Miss Armitage was sitting by the parlor window when they returned, andshe came to the door to meet them. 

"I ran away with your little invalid, " the doctor exclaimed. "Haven'tI brought her back improved?"

Her cheeks were positively rosy and were rounded out by the exquisiteshading. She clasped her small arms around Miss Armitage. 

"And I've had the most splendid time! A real Sunday. We've been out inthe beautiful country where birds were singing hymns and I'm just fullof happiness. "

They had kept their pact, these two people; they could not have workedtogether otherwise, and each one was following the same path, for thegood of the poor of this world. 

"I am very glad----"

"Then you are not going to scold me?" with a questioning smile. "Ipromised her a drive you know, and today was rather a holiday to me. "

"Why, she doesn't scold, " cried Marilla in a sort of joyfulcontradiction. 

"Won't you come in and have some dinner with us?"

"Pete would grumble if he stood here an hour. Now, if you would changeit to supper--and a cup of tea----"

"Let be a cup of tea, then. I want to talk over some plans. "

"Very well. Expect me on the mark. Six, isn't it?"

"Yes, " with a smile. 

"Oh, I'm just delighted, " and Marilla squeezed his hand. 

"So you had a lovely time. Where did you go?"

"Oh--through the park and then out on such a beautiful road. Thingsseem nicer on Sunday, because there isn't so much noise. And there wasan old man who has to get about in a chair with little wheels, andcan't walk any more. And the lady gave me some cake and such aluscious pear, and asked me to come again. I just wished that therewas some little girl from the Home living there. "

Marilla had her face and hands washed, and a fresh white frock put on. She was so bright and chatty and really charming. But after dinner shelay in the Morris chair and Miss Armitage read her to sleep. It seemedas if she had improved so much in the twenty-four hours. 

They had such a genial and charming supper, and Miss Armitage playedon the organ afterward and then talked about the girls who were goingto the Rest House next week. Five of them were very much worn out. They would need to stay a full fortnight. 

"And I think one of them needs some medical attention. Come to theSettlement and see her before she starts. And you know I am booked forthat Canadian journey with the Winslows. I am almost sorry I promised. Do you think it would be safe to let the child go to the Bordens onSaturday?"

"You won't let her go back! She is worth something better than babytending. "

"You shouldn't have cured her up so soon! I don't exactly see my wayclear or I should keep her for good and all. I like her very much. Youmay laugh at me about my swans being ordinary geese--but we must admitthe Bordens have the right to her at present. And I do not want tomake bad friends with them, seeing that in law he may exact the poundof flesh. They may tire of her or she may not be able to stand thebabies and Jack. I could leave her here with Jane or send her to theHome. But she is very much resigned to the return. She has a curiousbit of conscience about it. So it is best to let her try again. "

"I can't bear the thought of it. " He uttered it with vehemence. 

"I don't like it much myself. But it seems the only way at present. Bridget will look out for her. We can't accuse them of any cruelty orneglect. "

"And she fairly worships you--fairy godmother. "

"I wish I were. I should change the lot of more than one Cinderella. Well--we will wait and see. "

Marilla came in with a bunch of flowers. 

"Jane said I might pick them for the doctor, and the ride was so nice. I shall put it in among the splendid things of my life--like thedream, and coming here--and when I get settled in bed and all is darkI can make a real fairy land out of it. "

He took her flowers and kissed her, and said "Good-night" to them in alow tone. But he went home racking his brains to see if somethingcould not be done toward keeping her. 

Bridget came around one afternoon and was enthusiastic over herimprovement. 

"They're doing pretty well and I believe the twins are not to get anymore teeth in a year or two. And the boss says they've thinned outastonishing, and they can talk a good bit. And that girl's going tothe other place and they say you just must come down. But not a footshould you stir if you wasn't real well. An' its glad enough I am tohave himself at breakfast at the morn and dinner at night. It's likeliving again, but I don't want to see any more twins. "

Marilla laughed. "Yes, I feel all well only sometimes I have a littlecatch in my breath; and I'll be ready to go on Saturday. "

"An' I'll just be praying to the saints to send you back safe andsound. I don't see why people should be kitin' off to strange places, when they've a good, comfortable house to stay in. But the saints bepraised for the rest with that imp of a Jack being away! They do begrown up after awhile an' I s'pose you couldn't have men if there wereno boy babies. "

Then Mr. Borden called late one afternoon and brought a note from hiswife. Ellen had to leave on Saturday or lose the nice place, and thebabies were well now, walking all round and beginning to say cunningwords. Pansy called "Illa, Illa, " and then looked around for Marillato come, and said--"Papa bing Illa. " They wanted her so much. Alltheir meals were taken over in the next cottage, and the laundresscame twice a week for the washings. The children were out of doorsmost of the time, and they were on the ground floor, so there was nogoing up and down stairs. Marilla would have it very easy and theywould take the best of care of her. 

Mr. Borden was both kind and gentlemanly. He hoped there would be someway in which they could repay Miss Armitage for all her care. Wouldshe accept a contribution for the Babies' Hospital, he had heard shewas interested in, or any other charity?

It was very nice of him, Miss Armitage thought, and she chose thehospital. Marilla had been out walking with Jane and when she came inMr. Borden was so cordial that it won the child's heart, and she wasthe more willing to go because she should lose her dear Miss Armitagefor a month. 

"And afterward, you must come and see me and we will have nice timestogether, and I may teach you a little music--you learn so easily. Oh, I count on seeing a good deal of you. "

The parting was not as bitter as Miss Armitage had feared, partlybecause Mr. Borden was there and in such good spirits, and Marilla wasthinking that the month would soon pass and that in any event shecould not see her dear fairy godmother in that time. 

The journey interested her very much. She had never taken so long aride in the cars. Mr. Borden bought her a box of marshmallows and hehad some illustrated papers. And there at the station was MissFlorence who gave her a cordial welcome, and the big surrey drove themand three other passengers to their destination. Mrs. Borden ran downthe path to meet them. 

"I've been on pins and needles lest something should happen, " shebegan. "Why, Marilla, you don't look as if you had ever been ill! Andwe're so glad to get you back. Oh, you don't know what an awful time Ihad, and at first the babies wouldn't let Ellen touch them. Flo or Ihad to feed them. I'm clear worn out now, but I do hope the babieshaven't forgotten you, for I want a little rest. It seemed too badthat you should have given out just then. And I do believe you'vegrown taller. Why, you are quite a big girl. "

The twins sat on a blanket on the grassy space at the side of thehouse. Mrs. Borden led the girl out to them with a glad sound in hervoice. 

"Here's your dear Illa come, " she said. "Dear Illa that you've wantedso much. "

Pansy looked up. Marilla gave one spring and knelt down beside them. It was nice to be longed for, to be remembered. She had really lovedthem. Her heart was always reaching out for something to love. 

"Illa, Illa, " almost shouted Pansy and went down head first inMarilla's lap. 

"Oh, you darling!"

"I'm glad you didn't get weaned away, Marilla. I was afraid you would, having such a fuss made over you. Mr. Borden said the house was fine. That Miss Armitage must be rich. Well--she was very good to you anddid the best she could for us. But that Ellen didn't like children, that was the long and the short of it, and she has just the place forher, and eighteen dollars a month. Yes, Violet, this is our ownMarilla come back to us, and we shall never let her go away again. "

Violet had looked rather wary and been chewing on the end of herthumb, but now she nodded and began to hitch toward Marilla. 

"Now we're going over to the cottage to dinner. It's such a pleasureto go together. I always take Jack. He has nice table manners if heisn't an angel otherwise. Oh, there he is! Jack, here's Marilla!"

Jack gave a sort of wild howl of delight and started on a run withoutstretched arms. Over went Marilla and Pansy and Jack on the top ofthe heap. Pansy gave a smothered scream. 

Mrs. Borden caught Jack by the shoulder and dragged him up. "You bad, bad boy!" she exclaimed, angrily. 

"Hello! what's the row?" asked Mr. Borden, advancing to the fray. 

Jack rubbed his eyes to make some tears. 

"Well, you said you was glad to see her an' so was I. An' I was jestgone' to hug her an' the bug fell over, an' I couldn't help it. "

Mr. Borden laughed. Mrs. Borden picked up Pansy and comforted her. Butshe did howl as if she had been half killed. 

"Jack, go to Aunt Florence and be made ready for dinner, " in acommanding tone. "Oh dear, it does seem----"

"Well things will go better now, " said Mr. Borden soothingly. "Marilla, you are going to be the salvation of the household. Did thetwins really know her?"

"Pansy did, I think Pansy's really smarter that Violet, I do hopewe'll have a little comfort now. There Pansy, dear, go to your sweetMarilla, " and she stood the child down. "We must hurry or we will belate for dinner. "

Marilla saw the four go over to the cottage, as it was called. She hadbeen tired out with the railroad journey, entertaining as it was, thenthe excitement of meeting them all again, the bump on her foreheadwhen she had come down so hard on Pansy's head, and the screams thatseemed like a stab going from temple to temple tired herinexpressibly. Then, too, she was hungry. Oh, if she could have aglass of hot milk such as Jane used to bring her! She really could nothelp crying a little. Both babies stood up by her. Violet pounding onone shoulder, Pansy making a grab at her hair that seemed to pull itout by the roots. 

"Pitty, pitty!" she said gleefully. 

"Oh, Pansy dear, you hurt. " She disentangled the one hand, but theother made the same clutch and was more difficult to manage. Then sherose to her knees that her head might be out of reach. Violet camedown heavily and began to cry. Poor Marilla hardly knew what to do. 

The babies were much thinner and their faces not so pudgy, but Marillathought they still resembled the Campbell soup little girl and laughedin spite of her own hurts. Then Violet spied a green apple and made abee line for it. 

"She can't bite it, " thought Marilla, and as it kept rolling it amusedthe baby. Then Pansy crept toward it and there was a rather funnytime. Violet slapped her twin in the face and there was another howland Marilla went to the rescue. Oh, what should she do? Everything wasso strange!

"Bed'y mik, bed'y mik, " demanded Pansy, "Bed'y milk. "

"Let us go and find some, " and she raised the baby to her feet, takingher by the hand. They walked up on the porch, and she placed her inthe carriage while she glanced at Violet. Not a moment too soon--thelittle sharp teeth were making inroads on the apple. She ran andsnatched it, throwing it out of sight. There was another howl. Mrs. Borden came hurrying down. 

"What is the matter?" rather crossly. 

"Violet found an apple and bit in it; I threw it away. "

"Oh, that was right Marilla, " in a mollified tone. "Where's Pansy?"

"On the porch, in the carriage. I think she's hungry. It sounded as ifshe meant bread and milk. "

"Yes. They have that for their supper. I guess I can start it. I usedto feed them first. Let me see. I guess I can show you--you're sohandy unless they've spoiled you. "

She had Violet in her arms and said--"Bring in Pansy, " leading the wayto a room that seemed a general storage place. She lighted the littlepyro stove, opened a closet and took out a saucepan, a bottle of milk, a sugar dish and some spoons. 

"Now as soon as it gets warm, you fix it--you cannot have forgottenhow, and then turn this screw and put the light out. For heaven's sakedon't set anything afire! Oh, there's no place like your own home. Ihaven't had an hour's comfort since I came down here. And my dinner'sgetting cold. Nice baked veal it was, with dressing. There babies, Marilla will give you some nice bread and milk. "

She ran off. The babies whined a little and then watched theproceedings. The stove stood up on a table and she poured out part ofthe milk. Then she gave the babies a crust of bread to stop theirclamoring while she crumbed up some in the saucepan and kept stirringit so that it shouldn't scorch, taking out part, presently. Pansyclimbed up by a chair and began to call "Bed'y mik, bed'y mik. "

Marilla put on her bib and began to feed her. Then Violet joined withher starvation cry. First it was one open pink mouth then the other. The viands disappeared as if by magic. She meant to have a little forherself--she was so weak and gone in the stomach, but she found shemust make some more, even, for the babies. So she crumbed up theremainder of the loaf. How they _did_ eat! She was very tired ofladling it in each little mouth. 

She had a very little left for herself, but it seemed to help thedesperately tired feeling. She had put the stove out without anymishap. Pansy began to cry--"Wock, wock. "

"What is it dear? Was it anything more to eat?" She glanced throughthe closet. 

"Wock, wock, " hanging to her skirt. 

"Me wock, " joined in the chorus that might be Chinese. 

Oh, would they never come! She took the babies out on the porch. Therewas a big rocker. Pansy ran to it and patted it, rolling up hereyes. 

"Oh, yes, Rock. I might have guessed, but my head feels so tired andqueer. " Then she took the cushions and blankets out of the carriageand lifted up Violet, settling her in one side. But Pansy would havenone of it. She squirmed down on the floor and began to cry. 

"Oh, I don't know what you want!" Marilla almost fell into the chairand jogged it gently. Violet was going to sleep. Poor Cinderella wipedthe tears that would have run down her cheeks. She was so tired. Eventhe babies crying did not move her. But when she heard the voices shesprang up. 

"Oh, what is the matter?" asked Mrs. Borden. 

"They wanted to be rocked, " explained Marilla, "and I put them both inthe chair, but Pansy wouldn't stay----"

"We have spoiled them. Ellen used to sit in the chair and hold themboth. That seemed about the only thing she could do that would pleasethem. And I've held one in the right and Aunt Florence the other untilmy back ached and I was fit to fall to pieces. We've had the mostawful time, Flo and I. But I remember I had a dreadful time cuttingmy wisdom teeth, and I was grown. I used to walk the floor at night, they would swell up so. We can't blame the poor babies. And theymissed you so. They used to be so good, wasn't they M'rilla; and Isuppose they'll be good again. They must be undressed and put to bed. Flo, you look after Violet, and M'rilla you run over and get somedinner. You must be most starved. "

Mrs. Borden had picked up Pansy who had now turned to her comfortingthumb. 

"Oh, run over. You needn't be afraid. Ellen liked the girls firstrate. Here, Mr. Borden will escort you. "

"I expect you're tired out and homesick, " he said sympathetically. "But we will have things better tomorrow. And we are all so glad tohave you--this way. Here, Katie, give this little girl a good dinner. She deserves the best you have. "

They were clearing the dining room. One long table was piled up withthe used dishes. At the other, covered with rather worn enameledcloth, sat two women and one young man. Kate made a place for thechild and brought her a plate with most everything piled on it. Bridget, at home, was so much neater, but then she didn't have so manyhungry people to feed. And Jane with her dainty ways!

Oh, she was just a little bound-out nurse girl. She had danced andfeasted with the prince; she had been in the palace with the fairygodmother where she was waited on as if she were a little lady. Andthere had been the Sunday ride with Dr. Richards. Was it _all_dreams?

She could not eat. The food was mostly cold. There was a big lump inher throat and a heaviness in her heart. How long and dreary the fiveyears looked!

"I'm not hungry, " and she pushed the plate away. 

"But you'll have some pudding and some cream. I told you, Maggie, they'd stuff theirselves on that there puddin'! You can beat the bandon that. "

"I'll just have the cream, " the little girl said, timidly. 

"Well you won't last long to take care of them there babies if youcan't eat better'n that!" said Katie. "I never see such squabs in mylife!"

"Oh, Katie, that won't do. They're 'Kate Greenaway' children. Was shesome one who fatted up young ones? Well, she'd better let 'em alone tomy thinkin'. And their great round eyes! And the crossest things Iever did see! Mrs. Munson thought she'd have to give up t' other sideof the house. "

"Be careful, " cautioned Maggie, with a slight turn of the head. 

Marilla ate her cream, and it really tasted good. Then she rose andsaid good-night in a quiet fashion. 

"Katie, you must remember about little pitchers, " cautioned some one. 

"Well--that's a nice little girl and I don't believe she'd carrytales. Ellen said she wouldn't take care of those babies for tendollars a week. And what's this child ever going to do----"

"Mr. Borden is a nice kind of a man and when he's around that Jackbehaves like a little gentleman, and the ladies do very well; they'repleasant and don't put on airs. But what they'll do with thosetwins----"

"Well, they won't always be getting teeth. It's a hard time withbabies. "

And so they gossiped while they washed dishes and set the kitchen inorder for morning. If they had ever been Cinderella they had forgottenabout it. 

CHAPTER VIII

A NEW GLIMPSE OF SERVITUDE

Marilla wandered about a little. The stars were coming out and afaroff the wood robin was singing his low sweet song. The dew wasscattering the fragrance of flower and shrub and she drew in longbreaths of it that seemed to revive her. Was Miss Armitage sitting atthe organ and evoking the music that stirred one's very being and madeyou wish unutterable things? And would Dr. Richards go to comfort somepoor patient tomorrow?

Then she went to her new home. Miss Florence sat alone on the porch. The babies were soundly asleep. 

"Did you have a nice dinner?" she asked. "And I suppose you are verytired. Will you sit here awhile or would you rather go to bed?"

"Yes, I would like to go to bed, " she answered, wearily. 

They went through the place they were using for a sort of kitchen andup a narrow stairway. Only part of the room had a fair ceiling, therest slanted down to some narrow windows. There was a cot, an oldfashioned wash stand and a sort of closet. Their packing trunks wereup here. 

"Mr. Borden had taken the other part the house first. There is moreroom and it is rather nicer. But the woman who had taken this wantedso to exchange and made an offer in the rent and they do chargescandalously for these summer places. And when you're not keepinghouse it doesn't matter so much. It saves lots of trouble. They justgive meals over there and they are first rate. I put your clothes thatwe brought in that closet. It was very nice in Miss Armitage to getyou some others and she wouldn't let Mr. Borden pay for them. I wantto hear all about her tomorrow. You won't feel afraid, will you?"

"Oh no, " was the reply. It didn't seem to matter much what happened toher now. 

"Good-night, then, I hope you will sleep well. "

"Good-night, " steadying her tone. 

She thought she wouldn't sleep at all, but her poor little body was sotired out that exhausted nature demanded rest. And she was awakenedin the morning with the singing of some birds, and a beautiful poemfloated through her mind. She would not count any Sundays untilSeptember came in. 

Mrs. Borden called her and she replied, dressing quickly and goingdown stairs. 

"Oh, you look quite rested, " said the lady. "I'll give the babiestheir bath and dress them and then you will give them their breakfastand keep them out on the porch while we go for ours. They take onlyone nap now, sleeping from eleven until about two. They just havebread and milk. There's a woman here who says I am ruining theirhealth with that, because it makes them fat, but they were fed whenthey had only milk. Then they have some oatmeal, jelly and a softboiled egg when they wake up. There's nothing like system; you knowjust what to do. Now you go over to the kitchen and get a bottle ofmilk. The babies drink that, too. Then I'll show you how to light upthe stove. It's the handiest little thing. I couldn't manage withoutit. "

Marilla had a pleasant greeting from Katie who declared, "she lookedten per cent better and hoped she would have a good appetite for herbreakfast as she didn't eat enough to keep a bird alive last night. "

The babies were pretty good natured, as well. 

"You know they always were real sweet, " said their mother, "and soeasily amused. I hope you haven't forgotten your knack of storytelling; and how they used to laugh! That Ellen was the stupidestthing. "

While she was feeding the babies, the grown folks went over to theirbreakfast. The kitchen and the servants' table was in much betterorder, and there were some delightful muffins and fresh fish andmuskmelons. The babies played about; Jack's father took him out for awalk, then there was a long quiet time at the luncheon hour, and thebabies were fed again. 

"I succeeded in getting a two-seat carriage, so we will all go outthis afternoon, " said Mr. Borden. "They say Braun is a queer Hungariansettlement and on Sunday the people are all out in their best. We'lltake a look at it. "

"_Can_ we all go?"

"Why Florence said she wouldn't mind caring for one baby, and Marillacan take the other. "

The two nurses had the back seat, Florence made Marilla put her babybetween them on the seat. "We'll change off when I get tired ofholding mine, " she said. 

They went straight over to the Sound--the upper end of the great SouthBay. Oh how splendid it was! Marilla almost held her breath withsurprise, then they drove up the road a short distance, but she hatedto leave the glorious views. Pansy dropped in her lap and went tosleep. As they turned they passed through one of the magnificentresidential settlements, then to the odd Hungarian town where aforeign Sunday was in full life and vivacity. 

Little tables were standing around, some filled with families, somehaving a couple of lovers; other parties were walking up and down; allin picturesque holiday attire. The tables were set out with small, hard brown cakes, slices of bread that each had brought to the feast. There was beer of course, merrymaking and jollity--but no one seemedto overstep the bounds. Children ran around, grotesque copies oftheir elders. Rows of cottages and gardens, great corn and hayfields, stubble where cattle were browsing, enclosures of fattening pigs whosesquealing had a mirthful sound. 

"It is well worth looking at, " said Mr. Borden. "A bit of Europe onone of our islands and really a lesson to our own thriftless poor. "

Violet chattered in a funny fashion, but Pansy slept through it all. Marilla tried several times to shift her position, but the little formwas too heavy to stir. Yet it was delightful, though she kept thinkingof last Sunday and Dr. Richards. 

Mr. Borden stopped at the gate and helped them out. 

"Lift Pansy, she's asleep, " said Aunt Florence. 

"Oh, Marilla, why didn't you keep her awake! I've been trying not tolet them sleep in the afternoon so they would go to bed the earlier. "

"Just as you get a baby in good habits, someone comes along and spoilsit all, " exclaimed Mrs. Borden in a vexed tone. She was a littletired, having answered at least fifty questions for Jack. 

But Pansy woke when her father stood her down, and said, ratherdrowsily--"Nice horsey;" and sat squarely down in the path. AuntFlorence picked her up and led her to the porch. 

"Now, Marilla, get their suppers ready and feed them. And put awaytheir things. I can't bear to see them lying round on chairs. "

Mr. Borden drove off, taking Jack. 

"Ont bedy-milk, " announced Violet. 

"Yes, yes; go to Marilla. "

The child had laid the caps in the drawer and hung up the coats. Bothchildren came out and clamored for supper and pulled on her skirtuntil they almost tipped her over. 

Then the great bell clanged for the boarders' supper. They had dinnerat noon on Sundays. Mr. Borden returned and escorted the ladies over. This was always a rather chatty, long-drawn-out meal. 

Marilla fed the babies, washed and put away her few dishes, then tookthe children out on the porch. Violet wanted to be "wocked, " so shesat beside her in the big porch chair. Pansy ran up and down utteringqueer unmusical noises. The piano in the other part of the house wasaccompanying a singer. 

The mistress of that part leaned out of the window and said in a sharptone--"Can't you keep that child still? She's an awful nuisance. "

"Let us go indoors, " said Marilla. "Come, and I'll tell you a storyabout a bunny that got lost away from all his folks. "

But Pansy had no mind to come. She screamed when Marilla took hold ofher arm and then kicked, jerking away, she rolled down the threesteps, landing on the grass. Marilla, frightened, picked her up in herarms and ran through the hall with her. The suddenness had reallytaken the breath out of the little body for a moment, then she lookedrather wildly at her rescuer. 

"It didn't hurt you much and you were a naughty baby to run away!Don't cry any more and you shall have----" she cast about to see whatsolace there was--"oh, you shall have some sugar--see--" and sheoffered her some in a spoon. 

Pansy laughed and reached out for the sugar, quite restored to goodhumor. 

"Now, I'll go out and get sister and you shall have some more sugar. "

Violet came in quite willingly. She sat on the floor with them andthought of the stories she used to tell. This one was about a runawaysquirrel. It grew dark and he was afraid, for he heard a queer noisethat kept saying, "Who--who, " so he ran another way. Then a dogbarked, and Marilla made the sound of a dog and both babies laugheddelightedly. "So he ran as fast as he could but the dog ran, too, andthe squirrel climbed up in a tree, " and Marilla climbed with her handson the back of the chair in a funny fashion. "'Come down, ' said thedog. 'I won't, ' said the squirrel. 'Then I'll climb up and eat you. 'But the squirrel laughed and said: 'You can't climb a tree. '"

The babies laughed, too, but Violet wanted to be "wocked" again. Shereally was sleepy. So Marilla put them both in the rocking chair andbegan another story about a bird who had three little babies in a nestand had to go out and get them something to eat. The ladies came backand Violet began to nod and let her eyes droop. 

"They must go to bed, " said their mother. 

It was supposed that Pansy would make a protest. She slipped down outof the chair and held out her fat little hand, murmuring--"Illa, Illa. "

"Well, Illa shall put you to bed, come Violet. "

Mrs Borden found their nighties. "Me too, " and Violet took hers overto Marilla. 

"Now, isn't that cunning? Marilla they are getting back all their oldlove for you! But it is time I had a little rest. "

The babies were safely deposited in their crib, each with a thumb inher mouth, a rather recent habit. Then they went out on the porchagain. Jack was there with his chum, Stevie. The ladies joined theprocession up and down the board walk. Stevie was recounting somewonderful experience, so Marilla dropped into a chair and her mindwent back to last Sunday night. How long ago it seemed!

Stevie was summoned home by his nurse. Quite a party went to the kindof sacred concert. Jack crawled up beside Marilla, for he was gettingsleepy. When she proposed he should go to bed he turned obstinate andheld on tight to the arm of the chair. 

"I won't go to bed. I'm going to stay here until mama comes. "

"Oh, you must. The clocks have struck eight. "

"But I'm not going to. " He caught the arm of the chair. "You try nowand I'll kick you with my hind leg. "

She knew well enough that he would kick. Somehow she did not feelequal to the struggle. 

"Tell me a story, " was his next demand. "About somebody being put inthe pit. Sunday school teacher told it. Why, I'd climb out. "

So she told him the story and then another, rocking slowly, and as thedemand ceased she knew he was asleep. But she did not dare try to gethim to bed. So she went to her own thoughts, the last week passed withthe fairy godmother and Dr. Richards. 

It was ten when the family returned. 

"Oh, Marilla, how _could_ you let him go to sleep! He's so cross whenyou wake him up. "

"I couldn't get him to go----"

"Jack!" His father picked him up and carried him to the sleepingroom. 

"Now you run to bed, " said the mistress, still sharply. 

It was very well, Marilla thought, that Jack had a companion who wasnot fond of "kids. " Stevie lived quite a distance below and hadbrought no end of playthings, had an auto wagon that two could sit in, though only one could be chauffeur. So Marilla had the babies out onthe side lawn all the morning in the shade, and after their nap tookthem out in the carriage. They were quite fond of walking, too. Theyreally were rather amiable again. 

"Miss Florence, could I have some paper and a pencil?" she askedduring their noontide nap. "I promised to write to Dr. Richards andtell him if I kept well. "

"Why not to Miss Armitage?" was the inquiry. 

"She was going to Canada, and--I'm quite well again, and the babiesare so much better. He will be glad to hear, for he felt very sorryabout them, and he said I must write. "

"I suppose Miss Armitage's house is very grand, much finer thanours?"

"It's beautiful and she has such a lovely organ. Well, it's differentand there are two big parlors and some curious things that I never sawbefore and chairs in beautiful light blue, all flowered, and some tallvases and marble statues. And there's Jane and Norah--and the washgoes out. Yes, I suppose she's rich. "

"And you'd like to live there?"

"Perhaps she wouldn't want me, " the child said simply. 

Evidently there had been no talk about it. 

Miss Borden gave her pencil and paper. 

Marilla went to the kitchen nursery, sat down on a stool and put herpaper on the bottom of the wooden chair. She began--"Dear Dr. Richards. " Oh, there was so much to say! She was well and the babieswere improved and could talk a good deal and looked better for notbeing so fat. She really liked home better and Bridget's kitchen wasso clean, and there was always a nice white cloth on the table. Itseemed a funny way to live but many of the people did not have mealsin their own houses, but went over to the eating place. "I can't spellthe other word, " she admitted naively. There were so many pretty girlsin lovely frocks who walked up and down and didn't have to take careof babies. "I don't believe I am as fond of babies as I used to be. Iget tired of having them every day, " she explained frankly. "And soonI shall begin to count on the five years. "

She filled up the whole sheet, folded, slipped it in the envelope andfastened it. Oh, she must ask for a stamp. She could run down to thepostoffice. 

Miss Borden was curious to know what was in the letter, whetherMarilla had found any fault with her surroundings, but the eager, honest face disarmed curiosity that could not be easily gratified. Sothe letter went its way. 

There were many things to entertain a child whose former life had beennarrow. Some of the girls spoke to her. "Were the babies hersisters?"

"Oh, no. She was--well their nurse. "

"How odd they looked! Is that little Jack their brother?"

"Yes. " Oh how ardently she wished they were pretty. 

"He looks more like you than like them. You've both got such prettycurly hair, though his is darker. I think curly hair's just lovely. Iwish mine curled, and you've such a pretty dimple in your chin. "

Marilla blushed at the praise. 

"What are the babies called?"

Marilla repeated their names. 

"That's funny--they're so much alike. "

"Well--they're twins, " said another. 

Then the babies thought it was time they joined in the conversation, and a funny mess they made of it. Pansy said--

"Ont to dit down. "

"No, you can't, " answered Marilla. "Their mother said I must nevertake them out. "

They happened to be strapped in very securely. But Pansy made a greatfuss and gesticulated furiously with her little fists. 

"I had better go on, " said Marilla. 

"It's awfully funny. Does she often get in such a tantrum?"

"Not very often, " returned Marilla half ashamed and almost afraid thebaby would break the strap. 

After a few days she began to get quite acquainted with some of thegirls. They came from various places and were quite ready to talkabout themselves. There was to be a lawn party next week at theSheldon's, just for the girls, and they were going to dance. 

"Oh, did you ever go to a ball?" asked Marilla. 

"Why, girls don't go to balls! They are for the big folks. My grown upsister does and they're just splendid. "

She had half a mind to tell them about the beautiful dream and how shehad danced with the Prince. But Pansy was going on at such a rate thatshe pushed the carriage along and by the time they reached home shehad forgotten her trouble. 

And there was a letter from Dr. Richards. 

She wanted to kiss it, she was so glad, but Mrs. Borden stood there, so she simply said--"Thank you, " and opened it. 

It was quite to a child's capacity. Marilla smiled in some places, looked sad in others. The little boy who had been so dreadfullyinjured by an automobile had died, but he would have been a terriblecripple if he had lived. There had been two very hot weeks and thepoor babies had suffered. He was very glad to hear that the twins weredoing so nicely, and had all their teeth safe and sound. And was shegrowing stronger, and did she have a chance to take the baths headvised? Miss Armitage was having a fine time. And a friend was totake them in his yacht around the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrenceand come down to Nova Scotia, so she wouldn't be home as soon as theyexpected. And he was so busy he couldn't have any vacation at all; butthen he had taken years before and must be satisfied. 

There were bits of fun and queer sayings interspersed that made a sortof jolliness in her face. 

"Don't you want to read it?" she asked, rather timidly. 

Mrs. Borden just did. She and Florence had wondered whether Marillahad made any invidious comparisons about the change to actual serviceinstead of being treated as a guest in a fine house. 

"If--you'd like me to, " with the proper hesitation. 

"Oh, yes. And I used to tell him about the babies, that they were sogood and hardly ever cried, and how I told them stories and theylaughed just as if they understood--didn't they?"

"You _made_ them understand. You're an odd little girl, Marilla, and Idon't know what we would do without you, but then you do really belongto us. I do suppose the baths would be a good thing if you were notafraid. Now, we can't coax Jack to go in the water, though he delightsto run along the edge barefooted. That's fun for the children. But yousee if we all went some one must look after the children. Then there'sthe time for their nap and there'd be no one to go with you. Thereseems so many things to do in the afternoon now that we have joinedthe Clubs. And there's teas and things----"

"Yes, " Marilla returned, meekly. 

"Why wouldn't you go in the water?" she asked Jack a few daysafterward. 

"'Cause there's sharks. Stevie said so. An' they eat up people. "

"Why don't they eat up--well, they haven't eaten up any one yet. Weshould have heard of it. "

"They only eat up children. The big folks kick 'em out of the way. Butyou've got to be real strong an' have a big foot. You just give it to'em by the side of the jaw and they flop down in the water. That bigJimmy Lane has seen them lots of times. "

There was a great sand heap where the smaller children went to playand tumble about and build forts and ovens and sometimes sand eachother. Marilla took the babies out in the carriage after they hadtheir dinner and were dressed afresh. Sometimes she met the girlssauntering about, sometimes with the nurse maids. The two ladies wentto a Whist Club, and one afternoon played Bridge, and between timesthey met on each others' porches. 

The afternoon of the children's lawn party the street was fairlythronged. There were grown people within the enclosure by specialinvitation. And how pretty the young people were in their beautifulsummer attire with laces and ribbons and bead chains and white tieswith a great bow almost as big as the foot. 

There were four pieces of music. Oh, the dancing was just bewitching?Marilla drew long breaths and wished she was among them; every pulsein her body kept time. The trees waved and nodded, some birds sang andthere were sounds of happy laughter. 

"Get away from here with this big caboose of yourn!" said a roughvoice, "you take up too much room, " and he wheeled the carriage aroundso suddenly the babies almost toppled over. "Other people want achance. Get along, I say!"

She had no choice but to go on. 

"I'm glad he sent off that nurse girl, " exclaimed a woman with twochildren clinging to her skirts. "Those great wagons are such anuisance!"

Marilla crossed the street and went slowly up and down. When thethrong moved about a little she could see the white fairy figuresfloating over the greensward, and hear the music that set one's nervesa-tingle. The outside crowd began to disperse, but the man loiteredabout, so she did not dare go back. 

Then they brought out some tables on the lawn and began to arrangethem. Oh, how daintily pretty it was! She recognized some of thegirls, and in spite of her courage, sighed as she turned away. 

Those were the sisters for whom the coach and four waited, with thefootman and outriders, and who would be made welcome at all the grandfunctions of life, while the Cinderellas were relegated to the chimneycorner. And the godmother must come out of fairy land, if she came atall, and transformed one with a wand. That was why the glories were sounsubstantial, and why the dream must end at midnight. 

The babies were clamoring for supper. The house was all alone. Shelifted them out and helped them up the steps, then gave them each abiscuit while she prepared their bread and milk. The ladies came homefrom their Whist. Mrs. Borden had won the first prize and they weretalking as eagerly as boys over a baseball score. There was Jack, dirty and tousled as any tramp. 

"Wash him up Marilla and put him in some clean clothes or we'll belate for dinner. Come, be quick, child. "

That was the portion of the Cinderellas. 

CHAPTER IX

THE LITTLE THORNS

They were all very glad to be home again. The house was so clean andorderly and there were so many closets and drawers in which to packaway things. Bridget had scoured and scrubbed and polished windowslargely to pass away time, for the people next door had been away aswell and the maids on a vacation earning money at seasides. 

"Oh, I'm so glad to see you again!"

Marilla was hugging Bridget and her tone was full of delight. 

"Ah, dear, an' it's glad enough I am to get ye back, but you've notgrown very fat an' rugged looking, but them babies do beat all!They're quite ginteel one may say, an how they do run and talk! You'llhave your hands full, I'm thinkin', if they're goin' to copy Jack!"

"Oh, Bridget, they're real sweet, only they're noisy when your head'stired. It sounds worse indoors. There was a big out of doors andgrass, and people passing and some children came in to play. But nowyou have to look after them all the time. "

"Marilla! Marilla!"

No, she could not waste her time in the chimney corner. 

"Put on the babies' things and take them out walking, they'll drive mecrazy. "

She walked them round to Loraine place. Would she dare call? Oh, howher heart yearned to see them all again! but the blinds were drawn;perhaps no one was at home. 

Then as they were going down the street, just at the corner, a ladyand two girls about her size crossed. The lady and one of them livedabout a block further down Arch street. The other she had known at theseaside. She smiled with a sudden pleasant surprise. The girl simplystared. Marilla's face was scarlet. Was it possible she was not toknow any of these girls if she should meet them? This one did not livehere, she knew that. 

Then Aunt Hetty came home looking thinner and more dried up than ever, but glad to get back to her room. She would not come down to dinnerbut M'rilla could bring her up some toast and tea. 

So instead of having a cozy time with Bridget she carried the smallwaiter up stairs. The tea was in the pot; Aunt Hetty had the kettleboiling on the gas stove. The toast was on a hot plate. 

"Sit down a minute, I've hardly seen you. Did you have a nice time? Isuppose the twins will be on the everlasting trot, now they can walkso well, and as for talking--well I'm glad I don't have to live withthem; that I'm clear this end of the house. You see that they don'tcome up stairs. It's nice to be in your own place, though the folkswhere I staid were very good and pleasant, I s'pose they thought Imight remember them in my will, " and she gave a shrill sort of cackle. "Now I tell you there isn't much fun in living to be old, and I seemto have lost my spunk. It's just a kind of drowsing life away. Nowtell me what you did! My, but this toast tastes good! Better than alltheir flummery. "

"Oh, there were a good many nice things and pretty houses and gaypeople, and a big place where they all went to meals. And Jack isbetter than he used to be, he had the nicest little playmate and wasout of the house most of the time. But I must run down, for Bridgetsaid my dinner was ready. I'll come up again when the babies are inbed; can I bring you anything?"

"Well, yes, a glass of hot milk. No, bring it in a cup with ahandle--it is so much nicer to hold. You're a good willing girl, Marilla. "

"I thought you never would get down, " Bridget said, almost crossly. "If you have to wait on that old woman and all the rest of us you'llwish you were in the grave. My! You look all tired out. Now, here's anice bit of chicken that I laid aside for you. I'm not goin' to haveyou fed on leavings. And it wasn't nice down there?" nodding herhead. 

"Oh, Bridget, such a kitchen and such a table, and no white cloth onit! They, the servants didn't seem to care, and they were nice andclean at the Home, and you're--well, you have things as nice as in thedining room, and to have things shoveled out of the kettle on yourplate or cold on a dish! Sometimes puddings were good, and the creamsand frozen things were clean and nice. But I'm so glad to get back toyou. And the lovely bath room! We didn't have any in the cottage. Whyit saves half the work taking care of babies. "

"You bet it does, I couldn't and wouldn't live in such a muxy kitchen. If I couldn't have things to suit I'd take French leave, though Iguess I'd call it Irish leave. And people, women, think it a finething to go off and live that way. But the boss got very tired ofit. "

Marilla laughed faintly. She was almost too tired to eat, but thechicken was so tasty, and the fresh home-made bread delightful. Andthe cheery voice put heart in the girl. Then the dessert wasdelicious. 

"I promised to take Aunt Hetty a cup of milk. I'll see first if Mrs. Borden wants me. But I'll dry the dishes for you. "

"No, dear, I did the most of them while you were up stairs. "

The babies had been put to bed. They did have an unlimited capacityfor sleep, now that they were well. Jack was perched on his father'sknee detailing some wonderful adventures. No, they did not need her. 

"I'm going in next door awhile, " said Bridget on her return. "Mrs. Dawson's girl left in a huff, and she asked me if I knew anyone. Andthere was my friend, Maggie Brady, just out of a place and a nice tidygirl; a good cook, too. So they both suited. Maggie's mother and minelived in the same town. It's nice to have a friend at hand. And whenye's through with the old lady I'd run to bed. You look tired as awagon wheel that's run round and round. "

Marilla laughed and took a bottle of milk with her. Aunt Hetty drank agood cupful, hot, and the remainder was set out on the window sill. Then she settled herself in bed with two pillows under her head; shecould hear better she thought. 

"Now, you open that book at the mark and read to me. 'Twon't be veryinteresting, for you can't know what's gone before. And no doubt I'llfall asleep--I always snore a little at first, and when you hear thatyou may light the burner in the other room and turn it very low andput the window down from the top and skip off to yourself. "

She was very tired but she read quite awhile before the gentle snoringbegan, and she was glad enough to go to bed. 

They had been home just a week when school opened. It was a comfort toget rid of Jack. They began to settle into quite regular living. 

"I've just had a fright, " said Mrs. Borden, coming up to her sister'sroom. "A man has been here inquiring about school children and I _did_stretch the truth a little. You see, now children have to go to schooluntil they are fourteen. I simply can't let Marilla go. I didn't adopther nor consider her in any sense my own. A child like that isn'tworth more than her board and clothes. What good would she be to us ifwe had to get her off at nine in the morning, and then have only anhour in the afternoon. The twins _must_ be taken out, and there's somuch running up and down. She's a nice honest, truthful child and aborn nurse girl. But if I had to send her to school, I'd trot her offto the Home. "

"There is so much to do this winter. When you come to that, she knowsenough for ordinary, and later on she could go to evening school. There's so much shopping and planning, and we must be out a good deal. The twins mightn't take to a new girl. Let us keep her if we possiblycan. "

Miss Borden's lover was to return before Christmas and wanted everything ready for a speedy marriage. It would be in church with a verysmall reception afterward. And that was hardly three months'distance. 

Marilla was coming home with the babies one afternoon when two ladycallers and a girl were saying adieu and coming down the steps. Yes, that was Ada Brant who had been at Bayside in the summer and at firsthad been quite friendly with her. Now she looked as if she had neverknown her. 

Maybe that was the way all the girls would feel to one who had beenbound-out from an institution. There they had all been on an equality. And somehow the Bordens had not really put her down. Then that lovelyMiss Armitage. Why, there had been a place for her at the table, andJane had waited on her as if she had been a guest!

Perhaps it would be different now. Then came a very bitter knowledgeto Marilla Bond. Five years more of this, and wouldn't people remembershe had been Mrs. Borden's nursemaid? Why, even now she would be gladto be Miss Armitage's maid. What made the difference?

She was to hear more of it that evening. After the babies came in fromtheir outing they were washed, undressed, and a nice warm wrapper putover their nightgown, and then fed. Afterward laid in their crib. Theydidn't go to sleep at once but kicked and laughed and chatted in aregular frolic. Phlegmatic babies can be easily trained. Then Marillacame down and waited on the table as Bridget sent various things up onthe lift. She was a really charming little waitress. 

"Such an odd thing occurred today, " began Mrs. Borden. "John do youknow a firm, Davis & Calthorpe, who manufacture something--"

"Yes, Calthorpe is selling out, I drew up some papers for him. He'sbeen up in the Adirondacks all summer and is going to Bermuda; but hewill never come back alive. "

"How queer it all is! We met Mrs. Brant a few times at Bayside. Theyhave come to Newton to look into the business and are staying withMrs. Wheeler. They came to call and Mrs. Brant has a pretty, stylishyoung daughter. Of course they'll have to move here. She is quitetaken with Newton. I told them about that Jamreth house down thestreet and they decided to look at it. Of course I didn't get muchacquainted with her, but she seems a very nice body. And that's apromising business, but Calthorpe had to give it up and I'm sorry forthe poor fellow; glad, too, that he met with this chance of disposingof his share. Brant appears to be a nice, brisk fellow and it is luckyfor Davis as well. "

The Jamreth house had stood empty all summer. Marilla passed it on herway to the park, for Arch street led direct. Suppose Ada was theresitting on the stoop or at the window and giving her that indifferentstare when they had been quite acquaintances!

For the first time fairy land and her dancing with the Prince failedto comfort. The whole world seemed changed, and how would MissArmitage be, now that she was well?

But she was very, very busy; Jack went to school a week and wasdelighted with the boys. 

"Sam Gordon has a little brother just big enough to begin school. Iwish one of the twins was a boy. What's the use of so many girls?"

His father laughed a little at that. The second week the charm beganto fail. His head ached and he wanted to stay at home and have Marillaread to him. 

"Boys don't have headaches, " said his mother. But he was cross and hisface flushed up so that in the afternoon his teacher sent him home. "And I don't want this scratchy flannel on! I like the other better;can't I pull it off?"

"The others are worn out, and it is coming cooler weather. Oh, you'llget used to it, " said his mother, teasingly. 

Then he kicked the babies' playthings about and pinched Marilla's armand wouldn't eat any dinner, and said his pudding was bitter. Hisfather sent him to bed, but he tossed and tumbled and cried out for adrink ever so many times, and in the morning was red with a fever andsome sort of eruption. So they sent for Dr. Baker, who pronounced it afine case of measles. 

"I don't see where he caught it, unless it is in the school, and Isuppose the twins will have it, " said Mrs. Borden in despair. 

There were three pretty bad days and Jack tried the patience of thewhole household sorely. Then the babies showed symptoms and seemedvexed that such a thing should happen to them, and now school was notto be thought of in some time. 

"Run out and take a little airing, Marilla, " said Mrs. Borden, lateone afternoon. "You haven't been out of the house for days. "

She was very glad to go. Jack was still a recluse though he seemedwell. 

Which way should she go? Her heart cried softly for Loraine place andalmost unconsciously her feet turned thitherward. Miss Armitage sat bythe window but she sprang up and opened the hall door with, "My dear, dear child!"

Marilla had her face in a transport of happy crying, from anoverweighted heart. 

"Oh, my dear!" leading her in. 

"Oh, Miss Armitage, we have the measles round at our house. Perhaps Ioughtn't come in. "

"Oh, I had the measles long ago, and I've seen three cases thisafternoon. I've only been home four days and had the most splendidtime. But I want to hear about you--have you been well, and was itnice at the seaside? Why it seems like a year since we parted. "

"Yes, I was well and the babies walk and talk and are real cunning andthey do grow prettier. They're getting some real nice hair but I can'tmake it curl. I didn't like the house so well and there was no bathonly a cold water faucet and a gas stove, and I missed Bridget somuch. We staid out of doors most of the time. I didn't go inbathing--I was a little afraid, I think, and I would have had to gowith some of the servants. There were a good many of them--we took ourmeals outside. I was glad to get home, and oh, so glad to see you!"

She caught the hand and kissed it rapturously. Miss Armitage held upthe face with her hand under the chin. 

"No, you haven't gained any. "

"I think I did at first, but Jack was so troublesome, and the oldlady, Aunt Hetty, wants one to read her to sleep and sometimes ittakes so long. "

"You surely are not helping with her?"

"Oh, only reading and answering her bell. She's somehow so nice whenyou wait on her. I think, like the rest of us, she's so glad to beback. One day she gave me a dollar and said I must spend it for candy, but I haven't yet. Do you think I ought to have told Mrs. Borden?"

"Why, not necessarily. "

"I'm not so very fond of candy. There's a beautiful book of fairystories in a store down town that I'd like. Only Jack takes everything, and he keeps asking if I haven't a penny when we go out. Hismother doesn't give him pennies to spend, and a very good thing, too. "

"What kind of books do you read to the old lady?"

"Well, you see it's this way, she reads on pages and pages and puts ina mark, then I go on where she left off and so I don't get the realsense of the story. They seem to have a good deal of trouble. I'drather read about little girls who went to their grandmother's and hadnice times, and beautiful verses full of music such as you used toread. "

Miss Armitage laughed pleasantly. "We'll have some nice reading again. And you ought to go to school. "

"But you see I can't. I look over Jack's books and I write on piecesof paper. I don't know how to spell all the words. Oh, I wrote aletter to Dr. Richards. He asked me to, and he sent such a niceanswer. I did want to write again, but I hadn't any paper nor postagestamp, and I didn't like to ask the second time. Oh, I might buy somewith my dollar, mightn't I?"

"I'll do you up a little package. He wants to see you, so I'll ask himto come here and let you know. And sometimes when you are out with thebabies you must stop here and let me see them, and I'll call and seeyou all. "

"Oh, how nice that will be. I'm so glad you love me. For I never shallbe like the girls who have pretty homes and parents to love them. Butyou'll be the fairy godmother always, won't you?"

"Yes, dear, " in a soft tone. 

"And now I must go. It's so sweet to know that some one really lovesyou even if you are a bound-out girl. And now I'm beginning to countthe years. "

Miss Armitage kissed her and watched her tripping down the steps. Shewas worthy of a better fate. Would she love the hand that set her inpleasanter places and not come to think wholly of self? For she, womanpast thirty, as she was, longed for a little daughter's love, adaughter to grow up along side of her, to share her very life. 

The babies went out walking up and down the block one day and took noharm. Violet was wild to run away, as Jack had been, and so was quitea care. Then the men came to fumigate the house and they all went to afriend's and took lunch. 

"Dear me, what a nice little maid you have, " said the friend. "Sheseems to know just what to do, and she's so pleasant tempered. Wheredid you find her?"

"She came from Bethany Home and she's bound to me until she'seighteen. She'll be of good service. "

The Autumn was glorious with a good deal of sunshine; Jack went backto school and was getting to be a regular boy, full of pranks; theywere sometimes rather rough. He did stand in awe of his father, but heoccasionally said things to Marilla that were not a bit nice, then hewould coax her not to tell of them. 

One afternoon Miss Armitage came. Bridget said she was sorry theladies were out but the visitor said she wanted to see Marilla and thebabies and went up stairs to the nursery. Playthings were all about;Marilla had been building houses for the twins to knock down. Theyglanced at Miss Armitage with wondering eyes, but they said "down, down" when Marilla took to a chair. Then they tumbled over her andburied their hands in her curly hair, even if it pulled. They showedthey owned her, and it really was not an easy lot for the little girl. She did look pale and tired but she was so glad to see her friend. 

Then the lady began to plan if there was any way to get her free. Shewent to see Mrs. Johnson. 

"Why the child seems very well off, " was the rather tart reply. "Sheis well fed and clothed and has nothing to do but amuse two littleones. Many a girl would jump at the place. It wouldn't do for us to bechanging them about, you see. We do sometimes take away a child who isill treated. I've visited this Mrs. Borden several times and foundthings very satisfactory. "

"But she could be educated--"

"My dear lady, there are hundreds of these poor children who need agood home and to be fitted for their station in life which cannot be avery high one. Their heads must not be filled with dreams of wonderfulfortunes. Real work is and must be the lot of those who are homelessand dependent. Now, if _you_ wanted to adopt some child I have twolovely little girls here, one of them born to luxury it would seem, but misfortune and death made a waif of her. I do hope some well-to-dopeople will take a fancy to her. "

No, she didn't want any stranger. She would wait and see. Why shouldshe care so much for Marilla? The faint little voice haunted her--"Areyou a fairy godmother?"

The Bordens were really disappointed when they found they had missedMiss Armitage. Then a dressmaker was to come, and friends weredropping in. Unless they shut the nursery door the little girls werein everything, and then they fairly howled for mama. 

"Oh, Marilla, can't you keep those children entertained? It sounds asif they were getting murdered. Put on their things and take themout. "

Then one night Pansy had the croup and there was a great scare. 

"You've let her get cold some way, Marilla; you mustn't let the wagonstand while you keep looking at books and pictures in store windows. You better go straight over to the park, and don't talk to othergirls. You're old enough now to have a little judgment. "

Marilla made the babies ready. They were very fond of walking up anddown stairs. Now she lifted them in the carriage, tucked them in withthe pretty robe and they did look picturesque in their fluffy whitehoods and fur cloaks. They uttered shrieks of delight as they wentalong. The Brant's were moving in the Jamreth house; she wouldremember hereafter to turn off at State street and not pass it. Somehow she felt very tired. At times there was such a flutteringsomewhere inside of her that for a moment things went round and shehad to gasp for breath. She would like to tell Dr. Richards about it. She had seen him twice, both times in the street and it had kept herhappy for days. 

CHAPTER X

ON THE BORDER OF TRAGEDY

For two days Jack had been out of school with a sore throat. Today itwas better. The ladies wanted to go out to match some trimming andview some elegant new party frocks that might do for a wedding gown. 

"Now don't tear the house down while we are gone. And if you are goodJack, I'll bring you home that new top you wanted. Remember the noisedisturbs Aunt Hetty. "

But the children enjoyed the noise. Aunt Hetty's bell rang. 

"Oh, Marilla, can't you keep those children in a little better order, "said the fretful voice. "And get me a drink of cold tea, I feel soqueer. "

"I'm so sorry, " answered the child, "I'll try my best. If only Jackwasn't home. "

Jack was throwing the ball at the babies who made vague efforts tocatch it. 

"I'm so afraid you'll hurt them. "

"Oh, you old fraid cat! You can't let a fellow have any fun! I'llgive it to you. "

It was not a heavy ball but he sent it with all his angry might. Itstruck against her heart and she went down in a little heap. 

"I fixed you that time! Come, you can't play possum over me, get up!"

He touched her with his foot. Pansy ran and fell over her. 

"Get up, you little clumsy skunk! You'll half kill her!"

"Poor Illa. Det up, Illa. Did bad Jack hurt 'ou?"

Jack turned her partly over. Her face was ghastly, with the eyesrolled up. 

Aunt Hetty's bell rang. Jack ran down stairs. 

"O, come up Bridget, Marilla's killed!"

"Ah, now you want to frighten a body out of her wits! You ought to beskinned alive. "

"Oh, come quick!" Jack began to cry. 

Bridget walked up stairs very deliberately, "Oh, Holy Mother of God!Get up, children. Marilla, dear--Oh, what have you done to her?"

She took the limp figure in her arms. 

"Oh, me darlint! Wurra! wurra! And that bell! As if no one wantedanything but that old body with one foot in the grave. Jack run innext door and ask Mrs. Seymour to come at once; quick, or I'll bat youwith a stick. "

Then she went up stairs. The poor old body was lying in the recliningchair, her face distraught with fright. 

"Send for the doctor at once, something has happened to me, I can'tstir. My legs are heavy as lead. Where's Marilla? I've rung andrung!"

"Marilla's fainted dead away. Yes, I'll get the doctor, " and downBridget flew to open the front door. 

"Oh for the love of heaven, will you come and talk to that thing inthe wall an' get the doctor! Why, I'm most crazy. "

"Yes, what doctor?" Mrs. Seymour went to the telephone. 

"Doctor Baker, and then to Miss Armitage in Loraine place. "

"Dr. Baker would come at once. "

They found the lady's number. She was just going out but would stopthere first. 

Then she took Mrs. Seymour through to the nursery. The children werepatting and petting Marilla. 

"Get away, children, you've had her smothered. "

"Does she faint often? She seems so well and merry. "

"She did that time last summer. She was out with the babies and felloff of a stoop, I believe, an' she kept looking like a ghost for everso long. That Miss Armitage took her to her house an' took care ofher. She's a good woman, that she is. An' it's just my belief thatMarilla isn't strong enough for the rough an' tumble of life. Someain't you know, an' she's tugged these fat babies about often; thereisn't but one nurse kept. "

"Oh, they were too heavy for her to lift. "

"Mrs. Borden didn't want her to, much. I'll say that for her. She wasafraid the babies backs might get out of shape some way by a bad fall. She's a fair dealin' woman or I wouldn't have staid with her all theseyears. But Marilla isn't strong enough for the work, and the old Auntwants a good deal of waiting on. It's run up an' down until you'dthink her legs would just fall out. "

Mrs. Seymour had been trying various restoratives. Now Marilla gave along shuddering sigh, opened her eyes but closed them again. 

"What beautiful long lashes she has! And such silky hair--"

"Oh, the saints be praised! I began to think she was dead! Poordarlint! 'Rilla dear--its Bridget who'd do anything in the world foryou. "

Dr. Baker arrived. He entered the room, looked at Marilla, felt of herpulse, and listened to the faint heart beats. "Give her a littlebrandy, " he said. "Where's Mrs. Borden? I thought the old lady--"

"Oh, she is!" interrupted Bridget, "she can't stir her legs one bit. She's rale poorly, now I tell you, an' this child's been looking afterher as well as the babies. "

"That's twice too much. " He ran lightly up the stairs to meet with atorrent of up-braidings. 

"I thought I'd have to die here all alone! Where's Marilla? I've rungand rung. "

"The girl has been in a dead faint. She's worn out. And you must havea regular nurse. "

"Oh, dear!" Aunt Hetty began to cry, "couldn't I have her? 'Twouldn'tbe as bad as them two young ones. And I'd pay her well, too. She's sonice and good tempered with her face full of smiles and sunshine. Oh, if she's going to be ill what shall we all do?"

The brandy revived Marilla a little. She tried to speak but her lipsfelt stiff. They took her up carefully and laid her on the old lounge. The babies started to climb up over her at once, and howled fearfullywhen Bridget pulled them down with an ungentle shake and sat them onthe floor. Then she went to answer the door bell and ushered in MissArmitage. 

Dr. Baker came down at the same moment. "Can't you shut those childrenup in some dungeon? They've voices like a foghorn. Ah, Miss Armitage. How is this patient?"

"Oh, I'm--better, " raising up suddenly then falling back in a halffaint. 

"Don't stir, keep as still as you can. You've no strength to throwaway on make believes. See here, babies, " and he disgorged a paper ofpeppermints that at once soothed broken hearts. 

"When will Mrs. Borden return?"

"Well, she'll be home to dinner, " and Bridget grinned. "Things wereall well enough when she went out. You see there's some weddin'fixings goin' on, and sure Miss Borden deserves a good husband whenshe's waited five years. How's the old lady?"

"It's pretty bad with her, though there's no immediate signs of herdying. But it's paralysis. Her limbs are cold and useless and I thinkit is creeping up her left side. She'll be another baby added to thefamily, unless she will go to a hospital which would be far better forher. She must have a steady nurse. I've been rather afraid of this. "

"I must go and see to my dinner. Miss Armitage won't you stay untilthe ladies come home?"

Miss Armitage signified her willingness and laid aside her hat. 

The babies were fairly gorging themselves. 

"I'll be in again presently. I'll leave this for the child, to begiven every half hour and she is to lie perfectly still. "

Miss Armitage smiled down in the pallid face. It had grown quite thinagain, but it seemed to hold an ethical sweetness. Marilla put outone slim hand. 

"It seems too bad the old lady should be taken ill at this juncture, "said Mrs. Seymour. "And Manila's been such a faithful child. She'sbeen growing tall this summer and autumn and I suppose has run aheadof her strength. Then with the two children to look after--well alittle nurse girl has rather hard lines--they seldom have more thanone, or if they do the others are older. My two boys are in boardingschool. I've wished one was a girl, they are so much more company forthe mother. But I'd wanted _her_ to be pretty, " she cast a sidelongglance at the twins. "It's a pity Jack should have taken all thebeauty. "

The twins felt so comfortable over the candy that they went to playingwith their blocks. Miss Armitage gave her patient the second dose ofher medicine and she closed her eyes. 

There was almost a shriek as Bridget opened the hall door with--"themerciful saints preserve us! Has Jack been run over by one of themfury things?"

Jack was crying and the blood was streaming from his nose all over hisblouse. 

"He's been fighting, the bad boy, with a nasty, dirty tramp!"

Bridget in her inmost heart hoped he had the worst of it. "Whist!" sheexclaimed, "there's two sick folks in the house, the doctor's been an'he's coming again!"

"Sick! Oh, what has happened?"

"Well, the old lady's had a stroke, an' Marilla had a bad faint again. I thought sure she was dead. "

Mrs. Borden dropped into the hall chair and began to cryhysterically. 

"Jack, go straight up to the bath room, " said his aunt. 

"And the neighbors came in, Mrs. Seymour to talk through that funnel, and then Miss Armitage and the doctor, " went on Bridget. 

"It's a pity one can't stir out of the house without somethinghappening, " sobbed the mistress. "And we're both so tired. "

"There dear, come up stairs. " Florence took Mrs. Borden by the arm, and they ascended together. "Now I'll go and look after Jack. "

She put a big apron over her dress. Jack sat on the bath room floorcrying. 

"Get up and take off those dirty things. Come, your father will soonbe home and I don't know what he'll do to you, " said his aunt. 

"He may strap me if he likes, but I ain't going to be called asnotnosed scabby sneak of a devil--"

"Hush! hush! I won't listen to such a talk--"

"--And he slapped me in the face, and I kicked his shins good, andthen we fit and I give him a punch in the belly and a good bunk in theeye--"

"Stop Jack, I won't hear another word. Let me get you washed up. Therecomes your father. "

Jack's nose had stopped bleeding and he was washed and put in someclean clothes. Mrs. Borden laid aside her wrap and hat and wentthrough to the nursery. The peppermint must have been a sedative tonerves and stomach for the twins looked up with an angelic smile andwent on house building. Mrs. Seymour made the explanations. 

"What could Marilla have been doing? She was well enough when we wentout. "

Miss Armitage gave the hand she held a gentle squeeze and she saw theeyelids quiver. 

"I'm sure I am very much obliged to you both. I was sorry to miss youthat day you called, Miss Armitage. Oh dear, how you must have beenfrightened! And poor Aunt Hetty! Is it really true--"

"The doctor couldn't tell the absolute danger so soon--"

"Oh, I think it has been coming on some time. She's dragged her feetand she had a quick, almost spiteful way of walking, if one may callit that. She protested against people slouching round withoutanimation enough to lift their feet. And some days she wouldn't comedown to any meal. Well, she's a pretty old lady; we've always let herhave her way. "

Jack came into the room rather meek but a handsome little fellow inspite of a lump on his forehead. He had run out of doors withoutwaiting to hear the result of Marilla's fall. 

"Well, Captain!" said his father, holding out his hand. 

Mrs. Seymour went home after proffering her services if she should beneeded through the night. The dinner bell rang and Miss Bordeninsisted the guest must go down to dinner and she would stay with thechildren. 

"We're having our dinner a little late this evening on account of aguest; otherwise I would accept. I can stay half an hour longer. Thenif you won't mind my coming around about nine to hear the doctor'sverdict. "

"Oh, you are very sympathetic. Thank you. I only hope Marilla won'thave a bad time as she did last summer. Why she's never faintedsince. "

Jack behaved beautifully at the table. No one spoke of the fight. Buthe kept up a shivery thought of wondering if the ball he had thrown atMarilla had really hurt her. It wasn't a hard ball, at least not ashard as they had sometimes in the street. 

No one appeared very hungry. Mrs. Borden went up to look after AuntHetty who seemed disinclined to talk and only wanted a cup of tea. Mr. Borden looked at Marilla who had fallen asleep. Then he went throughto the other room and took Jack on his knee. 

"Now let's hear about the fight, " he said, but his voice didn't seemvery stern. 

Jack really wanted to cry. He felt sort of bruised and beaten thoughhe had knocked down his adversary and would have stamped on him if hismother had not appeared at that moment and carried him off. 

"Well, you see"--and the boy winked very hard. 

"Who begun it?"

"Why, that Patsy's a reg'lar bum! He's called me names--he playshookey too, and he tried to trip me up and I give him a left-hander, and he called me a stinking pup and ever so many nasty names and thenwe went at it. Papa, you may strap me if you want to, but if I hadn'tfit the boys would have made fun of me and called me sissy, and wewent at it like fury. He made my nose bleed, and I guess I gave him ablack eye; and I kicked his shins--he's got fat legs. He's just abounder and teacher said he'd wind up in the reform school. I justwish he would!" with an angry zest. 

"How do boys learn such shocking talk?" asked Aunt Florence, "Whenthey never hear it at home, and as for fighting--"

"It is in the outside air and perhaps like measles runs throughboyhood. Jack, I want you to stand up for yourself though I don'tadmire street fights. "

"But I won't be called nasty names, and he said I was a sneak of adevil--"

"Try and keep out of the way of such boys. But if you _must_ fightstand up to it boldly. I think you didn't get the worst of it, but Iguess it's good your mother came along just then, and now little boyyou had better go to bed. "

Jack was very glad nothing had been asked him about Marilla. He wastired and drowsy. But Aunt Florence said, "Jack I think you were avery bad boy. "

Dr. Baker came in and took another look at Marilla whose pulse wasstill very fluttering. 

"What do you suppose it is?" asked Mrs. Borden, anxiously. 

"The child has a weak heart. Perhaps no organic disease at present, and if she gets through the next two or three years safely all may gowell with her. But she ought not have any severe strain. Do you knowanything about her family?"

"She hasn't any, I took her from that Bethany Home. She's a nice, willing, pleasant girl and a splendid hand with babies. But she waswith Miss Armitage all through that awful time we had with thechildren teething, and the babies _are_ good. I resolved I'd nevermake children so troublesome as Jack was, waiting on them hand andfoot. I've had a different system with them. "

"The system seems to have worked well, but I think you need a strongernursemaid. "

"I've never let her lift them, I knew it was not safe for them, "laughing. "Though think how poor children carry babies about; but nowtell me about Aunt Hetty. "

"I think it is the beginning of the end. You can't quite tell, butshe's pretty well worn out with the years, and she must have a steadynurse. A hospital would be best. "

"Yes, we will talk that over. "

"Have you any one for tonight?"

"No. Is it as bad as that?" and Mrs. Borden turned pale. 

"I should advise an emergency nurse for a week or so; by that time youcan make some plans. "

Mrs. Vanderveer was comfortable, but she did not want to be leftalone. 

"Oh, isn't it dreadful, Florence, that this should happen just now. Ifit only could have waited until Christmas, " Mrs. Borden said withtears in her eyes. "I meant you should have such a happy wedding. You've always been like an own sister to me. "

"Well, we won't worry tonight. Only--"

Miss Armitage came in and heard the story through. 

"Let me telephone at once to the nurses' home, then you will feelrelieved. And perhaps it would be a good thing to send Marilla to mefor a little while again. "

"I cannot do without a nurse girl. "

"But a week or two may restore Marilla. "

The nurse came, a wholesome middle aged body who had been for weekswith a helpless paralytic. And so the midnight found them allcomfortable. Marilla was left on the lounge. Miss Armitage sat a longwhile in her soft wrapper planning about the child she felt she mustrescue. Oh, she _did_ want her. She did not try to give any reason forthe love that had stolen almost unaware in her heart, or the faiththat this child would not disappoint her. Every year she was growingolder, every year she longed more for some one of her very own. Whyshould she not play fairy godmother in earnest? She must have Dr. Richard's verdict. 

For Mrs. Borden with many kindly qualities looked at matters only asthey applied to herself. When Marilla was eighteen she would come tothe freedom of a bound-out girl, too old to begin another life, settled in a rut--if she lived. Was she not one of the little onesthat might be rescued and live out a higher life? There were many whocould not, but she felt she must go carefully. 

Mrs. Holmes proved an admirable nurse and Aunt Hetty took to her in anastonishing manner. She was attractive to the children, as well, whogreeted her with a smile. 

On the next day Dr. Baker admitted the paralysis was gaining rapidlyand thought she could not last long. That evening she said to thenurse, "Send Mr. Borden up here, and you stay down with the ladies. "

He came up and greeted her cordially, hoping for better things, asfriends are wont to say. 

"No, John, there will not be any better, so we won't indulge in makebelieves. Carry and James were quite sure this way of living wasn'tgood for me. They wanted me to buy a house and make it over to themand they would care for me the rest of my life. I've lived with Carry, paid her good board, too, so I knew what that would be. I couldn'tlive quite alone, you see--I always wanted some one round that I couldsee if I wanted to. Old people do get queer. So when I had toforeclose here I made you this offer. You're the only one of them allwho has not asked me outright for money, and I honor you for it. Yourmortgage here is twenty-three hundred. "

"Yes, " he said with a vague sort of hope that she wasn't going to askhim to settle it. 

"I want you to get it cancelled; I'll give you the order. I've meantto do this the last year. Carry worried so at me that I went away withher and felt none the better for it. I'd rather staid at home withBridget. So you see to that at once. And I want to make a new will. "

"Aunt Hetty! Well, I don't know what to say, " and his tone showed hissurprise. "Don't say anything. " She gave her little cackle of a laughthat always had a sound of derision in it. "You know I can't take anyof it with me, and I'd like to know it will make few people pleasedand happy. I'm going to make you executor, so get some one else towrite out the will. I fixed it to my liking today. You've all beenvery good to put up with my whims and queernesses. Old people don'tlike too much advice, especially where money is concerned. Look in thesecond drawer there--in a long envelope. "

"Thank you for this expression of your satisfaction. The babies andJack may have been a nuisance at times. "

"But that little girl's been good enough to make up for anyannoyance--not that there's been much. Jack's a smart, funny littlefellow. You know they're all more or less bad, but they grow up prettyfair. There now, I'm tired. "

Mr. Borden wished her a kindly good-night and went down stairs torecount the wonderful interview. 

"Oh, John!" Mrs. Borden leaned her head down on her husband'sshoulder. "What a streak of good fortune! Now we really do own thehouse free and clear, I thought our summering would be quite moderatebut it wasn't. Still it did the babies an immense deal of good afterthey got over their awful time. And they're so nice and well now, andare growing better looking all the time. If Marilla only _could_ maketheir hair curl! It's so stringy, and we haven't worried at Aunt Hettyfor what she did or what she didn't do, and weren't snappy when shefound fault. I used to think she needn't have rung for Marilla quiteso much, but the child never minded running up and down. "

"How has she been today?"

"Well, I don't just know; Dr. Baker said she must keep pretty still, so she's laid on the old lounge, but the babies would crawl over her. It does seem as if we must have someone else--an older person, thoughsome of them object to taking out children. But if we want to get muchsewing done--"

"I think I'll have a seamstress for a week or so, " said Aunt Florence, "time goes on so fast. "

Marilla had gone up stairs to her own bed, where Bridget had croonedover her in tender Irish fashion. 

"An' I'm sore afraid them babies'll be the death of you, poor lamb!They drag on you so, and their chatter would drive me crazy. "

"But they're so funny. "

"I don't call it funny with their hundred and fifty wants, " sniffedBridget. 

Marilla turned faint now and then but for several days she was notsent out with the children. Miss Armitage came over every day toinquire about both invalids. Mrs. Vanderveer dozed a good deal and thenumbness seemed crawling further up her body. 

"She may have another stroke and she may go just this way, " said Mrs. Holmes, "I wouldn't give her more than a month at the longest. I'veseen it so many times. But it is merciful for them not to lastyears. "

It was mid-October then. The seamstress proved a treasure. Garmentswere completed and laid away. 

"I want most of the work finished up in November, " said Mrs. Borden, "then we can plan all the other matters. "

"I shall have to look up some one else. I want a nurse to take up thechildren in the morning and wash and dress them, and they must go out. They're losing all their lovely weather. Marilla doesn't seem to getalong at all. If she's going to develop some heart trouble she willjust be good for nothing. Of course, when I took her she seemedhealthy enough, and it was the best thing to do then. John has hadsome good luck this fall and we don't need to think of saving up moneyfor the mortgage. I could afford a regular nurse, and it would ease meup so much. I don't suppose they'd take Marilla back at the Home. "

"Talk to John about it if; we _could_ find a new place for her. Why, she would make a nice little waitress. If you could keep three girls, "laughingly. 

"Dear me, we must not spread out too rapidly, and somehow I'd hate togive her up. She trains the children so nicely. And have you noticedhow sort of gentlemanly Jack is growing toward her? He was realrude. "

Jack had experienced many qualms of conscience about throwing the ballthat day, but Marilla made no reference to it. Still she might tellBridget, she and Bridget were such cronies, and Bridget would make anawful fuss. 

"Marilla, " he said one night when she was getting him ready forbed--"I didn't mean to hurt you that day with the ball--you know. Ididn't think girls were so tender. "

"I was tired and there had been something stopping my breath like, nowand then, maybe it wasn't the ball. "

"You were good not to tell on a fellow. I'll never, never hurt youagain, nor pinch you, nor be ugly to you. You're so sweet, Marilla, "and he clasped his arms around her neck, kissing her. 

CHAPTER XI

THE ARK OF LOVE

The glowing golden October weather had given place to several loweringdays. Furnaces and grates were started up, and overcoats brought out, and pedestrians hurried along. Even children did not stop to play, fornow a cold drizzle had set in. 

It was very warm and cheery in Miss Armitage's library. There was afire in the grate, a pot of beautiful red carnations on one stand, agreat vase of roses on the other, and a dainty tea table set out withWedgewood. Thursday afternoon she was always at home. From some causethere had been very few in. Jane came and put two big lumps of cannelcoal on the fire and said a few words, then went to answer the ring atthe door; it was Dr. Richards. 

"I'm glad to see you, " she said. "Will you please light a burner ortwo?"

"Oh, no, let us sit in this mysterious light and watch the blazeleaping over and around those black hillocks. Have you been busytoday?"

"Not very. Some days I don't feel in a working humor. I had only twocalls this afternoon. Will you have a cup of tea?"

"Yes; when have you been to the Bordens?"

"Yesterday. "

"And how are the invalids?"

"Mrs. Vanderveer is sinking in a comatose state; she doesn't suffer, which _is_ a great blessing toward the last. As for Marilla"--she madea pause. 

"Well--" inquiringly. 

"I'm not satisfied, she has such a blue, tired look. But she is aboutas usual. Dr. Richards, I want her. "

Something in the tone touched him. It seemed the cry of motherhood. 

"Well, wouldn't they give her up?"

"I really think they would; a friend came to see if they did not wanther nursemaid, a nice well trained girl of twenty; an excellentseamstress. She is going to California. Mrs. Borden told me this as wewere down in the hall. Dr. Baker said something about the child'shealth that rather startled her. But before we could have anydiscussion another visitor called. She thinks Marilla doesn't haveanything much to do; but the babies are a constant care. They want tobe entertained every minute of the time. Violet is developing quite atemper and slaps her little nurse. All her mother said was 'Violet, that's naughty. ' But you should have seen Pansy speak some MotherGoose rhymes. Marilla had been training her. The gestures, the roll ofthe eyes, the coquettish turn of the head was the daintiest thing youever saw. Then she repeated--'Where are you going, my pretty maid?'and she had a little milk pail on her arm, and she managed to keep thetwo parts wonderfully distinct--it was remarkable in a child not threeyears old, and when she said--'Then I won't marry you, my pretty maid'and answered so pertly--'Nobody asked you, sir, she said, ' it wouldhave done credit to an exhibition. Her mother sprang up and kissed herrapturously, crying--'Isn't she the dearest and sweetest thing and thesmartest! Think of her learning that and acting it off so completely, and not three years old! She is smarter than Violet'--and then Violetset up such a howl! Her mother pacified her by saying Marilla shouldtell her a piece, and after several efforts Cinderella did induce herto say by a great deal of prompting 'Milkman, Milkman, where have youbeen?' Think of the wear on the child's nerves, and she looked sotired. I really couldn't stand it a moment longer. They think she hasnothing to do but just amuse those two strong irrepressible childrenwho climb over her and torment her in every fashion. I can't stand it. I hardly slept last night thinking of it. "

"Can't you bring her over for a visit?"

"I thought of proposing that. If I could persuade her to transfer thechild to me--"

"But if she gets another nurse?"

"Yes, I must try. The strain on her is too great, and now for almost aweek she has not been out of the house; Mrs. Borden bewails it for thechildrens' sake. She thinks only of them with a mother's selfishness, and she doesn't give Marilla credit for these pretty ways or theirintelligence. She is just their nurse girl. It is a cruel waste of thechild's gifts. "

"I'd like to see Dr. Baker; most of all I'd like to see Marilla, butit wouldn't be etiquette to call. "

"I'll go tomorrow with courage enough to have a gentle talk or astraight out one, " said Miss Armitage resolutely. "We try to saveother lives, why not this one? And this one is dear to me. It has somuch of promise in it, and life gets lonely sometimes. "

He longed to come into it, but he kept his promise. Until she madesome sign he must be content with friendship. He rose abruptly andsaid he must be going. She did not detain him. 

It was raining a-softly now and he hurried along. His office was in alittle ell part in a rather inviting looking house, and he took hismeals with the tenant. The office boy was on the lookout for him, itwas time he went home. 

"There's a gentleman in there waiting for you, " he said with hisgood-night. 

The gentleman was comfortably ensconced in the Morris chair, smoking acigar. Doctor Richards took a second look. 

"Why, Lorimer!" he exclaimed. "Where have you dropped from? I haven'tseen you in an age--but I'm glad, old fellow; I was feeling ratherdown; I should have had a gay presentiment. "

"Remembering old times when we were both bloated aristocrats, favorites with the gods. "

"And are now earning daily bread, " laughed the doctor. "At least I amand trying to help suffering humanity. Isn't that neatly put?"

"I don't know whether I can claim all that; now and then I get somepoor fellow's affairs out of a snarl and make him pay for it, and oneend of something has drifted here to Newton and I'm after that, but Ithought I'd hunt you up first. I've been here a good half hour. "

"And supper is ready in the house. Then we will have a good hourbefore any one drops in. Come in, " and he opened a side door into ahall. 

There were three persons at the table, an elderly couple and a womanin the thirties. They made Mr. Lorimer cordially welcome and thesupper was inviting. The guest asked some questions about Newton whichwas a quiet rather old fashioned town quite set in its ways. 

Afterward they settled themselves comfortably in the office. 

"I've come to hunt up some one--do you know anything about a BethanyHome for orphans, girls, I believe. "

Dr. Richards roused from his lazy position. "Yes, I know about it, though I never been on the staff. Why?"

"I want to learn about a child placed there four or five years ago. Let me see, " referring to a memorandum, "name, Marilla Bond; motherand father died in this town. "

"Marilla Bond. Yes. I know the child. What of her?"

"I'll begin at the very first. Hardly two years ago Peter Schermerhorndied at the age of ninety-eight. He was the black sheep of anotherwise respectable family, went off and spent his portion inriotous living, afterward bought a tract of ground above Harlem, turned hermit, raised geese and ducks and pigs, married and had threedaughters and they in turn married, glad, I suppose, to get away fromthe penurious living. So it went on. He had to give up the pigs andgeese, did a little gardening and two years ago died without a will. Oddly enough he had kept a family record which has been of greatservice to us. The old shanty was a disgrace, the ground valuable. The city was bringing up one of its fine avenues and a syndicate madea proffer for the land. Of course the heirs soon scented this out, andour firm has been trying to settle the estate so the property can beturned into money, and a good deed given. We have found abouteverybody, I believe, but the mother of this child who is in verydirect descent, eluded us a long while. "

"And this child is one of the heirs?" in surprise. 

"Exactly. Her mother came here after her marriage. The father waskilled in some machinery mishap. The mother was in a store, a bakery, I believe, and dying, gave her little girl to the friend she had livedwith, and the friend married and went out to Easton. We found she didnot take the child with her but put her in this Bethany Home with someimportant papers. So we want the child and the papers. "

"The child was twelve, a year ago September. She was bound-out to somefairly nice people as a little nursemaid. And an heiress!" in a toneof glad surprise. 

"Well not to any great extent. There are a good many heirs itseems--ten thousand or so. But we had to know whether she was livingor not on account of the title. "

His little Cinderella! Truly this was a fairy story. "Oh, are you_quite_ sure?" he said. 

"Oh, there's no doubt, if she is the true heir. But the woman atEaston attested a very straight story and knew of the husband's death, though she had not known him personally. The money is on the mother'sside, you see, so his death is neither here nor there. And now--can'twe go out and interview this place and the keeper?"

"Hardly tonight. The matron is a rather rigid person I believe. We hadbest tackle her by daylight, and the child is almost in this vicinity. A rather unusual child I think, very sweet natured. Oh, I can'texpress all my delight. She is the kind of girl that ought to beeducated, that should live in an atmosphere of love, and she is notreally strong enough to take the rough and tumble of life. Oh, I can'ttell you how glad I am. " Lorimer surveyed his friend with a ratherhumorous smile. They had been chums during a summer in Switzerlandand Holland, but he had not thought Richards much given to either loveor romance. 

Then they branched off into old times when both had been ratherwasteful. Lorimer was working hard to redeem that youthfulextravagance; Dr. Richards cared nothing at all for the moneyed end oflife. 

He would fain have kept his friend all night but Lorimer had engagedhis room at a hotel. They were to meet as soon as possible in themorning. 

Bethany Home was quite in the suburbs, reached by a walk after one hadleft the trolley. The house was a big rambling place to which therehad been made several additions. It had been a gift from abenevolently disposed woman, with a small endowment that wasoccasionally added to. There was quite a spacious garden and anabundance of rose vines. 

Yes, Mrs. Johnson was in and they were ushered into a large oldfashioned apartment, scrupulously neat and formal. Mrs. Johnson was asomewhat portly woman turned of sixty, whose face had settled intosevere lines, and she eyed her visitors rather suspiciously. 

"I am Dr. Richards, " he began with a softening of the countenance, "and my friend Mr. Lorimer is a lawyer from New York who comes on amatter of business concerning a little girl who was an inmate of theHome until a little over a year ago--Marilla Bond. "

"Yes"--in a rather questioning manner. 

Lorimer told his story and the surprise in the woman's face wasevident. 

"What is of most importance is to learn whether there are any papersto substantiate the claim. One has to be careful in the legalmatters. "

She seemed to consider. "Yes, " rather reluctantly. "The person whobrought her here gave quite a box of papers and some trinkets to mysafe keeping. We take charge of them until the girls areeighteen--then they have served out their time and are legally theirown mistresses. Ours is quite a private institution and has noconnection with the city, although it has a board of officers, ofwhich I am president. Of course I keep watch over the girls who arebound-out. This Marilla has a very nice place. She was away all summerwith the family. One of our managers visited this Mrs. Borden on herreturn and found everything satisfactory and the child content. "

"Could we look over the papers?"

She seemed rather loth to produce them but she could find no excuse. She recalled the fact that she had seen Dr. Richards' name inconnection with the Children's Hospital. 

Certainly there was enough to substantiate the claim. A marriagecertificate, an attestation of the baby's birth, and old Dr. Langdonwas still alive, though he had retired from practice. A packet ofletters as well, two notices of Mr. Bond's accident and death. Everything was ready for corroboration. 

Mr. Lorimer gathered up the important papers. At first Mrs. Johnsonrather demurred about his taking them away. 

"Why, I would have no object in destroying them. I should not be thegainer by it. And this is the last heir we have to trace. Now we canproceed to a settlement. The syndicate takes more than half theproperty and pays cash. The remainder can be easily sold. No one seemsdisposed to demand an extravagant price. You will hear from me beforelong, and I will return the papers. "

After they had settled that and left the lady, Lorimer said--

"Now let us interview this Doctor Langdon. "

He was a somewhat feeble, white haired old man but received them verygraciously and was much interested in the story. Turning to his bookhe refreshed his memory. Yes, there was the birth of the child. Themother he put down as rather delicate. A note some time aftersubstantiated the accident and death of the father. He was verywilling to give an affidavit. "You've been a tremendous help to me, Al, " said Mr. Lorimer, "estates that have to be settled this way arean enormous bother, and thanks are poor pay, " laughing. 

"I believe I shall demand something more. The child will need aguardian. She has several warm friends here, I'm not willing to losesight of her. So I shall ask that office. "

"Well--why not? Some one must act until she is of age. Yes, I'llremember. I'm glad you spoke of it. I'll be up again. Indeed I'm quitecurious to see how she takes her fortune. "

So the friends parted. Dr. Richards made several calls, stopped forsome lunch, found a number of patients awaiting him and a message thathad come from Miss Armitage, who wished to see him at once. She hadhad quite an eventful morning as well. Some vague presentiment hadhaunted her about Marilla and after disposing of a few business callsshe hurried around to Arch street. 

Mrs. Borden answered the door. 

"Oh, Miss Armitage! We're so full of trouble! Aunt Hetty has just diedand Marilla--oh, I don't know what will become of the child!"

"She is not ill?" in a tone of anxiety. 

"Well, come in and sit down and let me tell you. They thought thefirst part of the night the poor old lady was dropping off quietly. Then toward morning she seemed to rally, and kept calling for Marilla. John had been up there most of the time and he said bring the childup. We didn't suppose she was really conscious. So Marilla went up. Itwas daylight, and just as soon as she went to the bedside the poor oldlady held out both hands, and Mrs. Holmes said she really smiled, andthen a horrible thing happened, like a fit, and her mouth all curledup and her eyes rolled up to the whites and Marilla screamed andfainted and the old lady was dead in a minute, and then the childfainted several times and they put her in her own bed--we'd had herdown stairs. What did your doctor say about her last summer? Dr. Bakersaid her heart was weak. Now I think they oughtn't have sent a girlout from the Home who had any such thing the matter with her. She hadit real easy, sitting on the floor playing with the babies. And wenever let her carry them up and down stairs or put anything hard onher, and now you know they run all over and are very little trouble. They have always been such good babies, but if she is going to faintat every little thing she won't be much good. Mr. Borden has gone forthat other girl and to attend to the necessary business. There will bethe funeral and we shall have to take in some of the folks, I know. Mrs. Holmes will stay right along until we are straight again, but, it's asking a good deal I admit, " and she paused. 

"Yes, let me take her. " Miss Armitage had come primed with severalarguments, but she saw they would not be needed. 

"Of course the shock was awful. Mrs. Holmes said she wasn't surprised, for Marilla was just going to clasp the outstretched hands, but theold lady came back to her natural looks and I'm so glad; but of courseMarilla will be haunted by the sight--"

"Yes, and you will have so much on your hands. Do you think she couldwalk that far or shall I order a hack?"

"Oh, she came down to the nursery and Bridget brought her up somebreakfast. There's the undertaker--"

"I'll go up to the nursery, " said Miss Armitage. 

A very wan little girl was pillowed upon the lounge. Jack had beensent to school without hearing of the happening. Violet wasmarching up and down ringing a little bell and saying "Go to door, Illa, go to door. " Pansy was leaning over her with a book cryingauthoritatively--"Read to me, read to me. "

Miss Armitage lifted Pansy down but she started to climb up again. Thelady sat down in the place and drew Marilla's head to her bosom andlet the child cry there. 

"Illa can't read to you now, " she said. "Poor Illa's sick. "

"'Tain't your Illa, " said the child obstinately. 

"My dear, " Miss Armitage began soothingly, kissing the tremulous lips, "you are going home with me. It has been dreadful I know, but you musttry to forget it. Jane will be glad to have you and Dr. Richards willcomfort you. Don't you remember what a nice time we had last summer?There dear--little Cinderella. "

Marina smiled faintly through her tears. 

"Oh, I am so glad. It was so sudden you know, and when she stretchedout her hands. "

"She must have known you, and after all it was sweet to be rememberedthen. Are you very weak? But I'm afraid you couldn't walk to Loraineplace. "

"I'm so--so shaky--"

Aunt Florence entered the room and snatched the bell from Violet. "Youmust not make such a noise, " she declared. "Oh Miss Armitage, you arealways shocked by a death, aren't you? And poor Aunt Hetty has beendying the last week, though the doctor said she did not really suffer. But she's past eighty and that's a good long life. I do wonder if shereally knew she was calling for Marilla, and the poor child has had abad time. How good of you to offer to take her for awhile. Funeralsare so dismal to a child. "

"I think I had better have a cab, " said the guest. "Will you kindlytelephone for one?"

Miss Borden assented. Then she brought a frock for Marilla, andbetween them they had her dressed. Violet tumbled her box of blocks onthe floor and began kicking them around. 

"Oh, dear! When you want quiet, children are always the worst! Whenthat new girl comes she shall take them out in their carriage and wewill have peace for a little while. "

Mr. Borden entered at that moment with a very pleasant-faced youngwoman. 

"Come through in my room, " said Miss Borden, "and you can watch forthe cab. " She shut the door between, but the babies burst into a howland she went back to pacify them. 

"Oh, I do feel better, " exclaimed Marilla, and her eyes lightened up, "but no one seems to know just what to do to amuse the babies, I'vegrown so used to it. "

"They must get along without you for awhile. It is a pity theycouldn't be sent away as well. "

The cab came presently. Mr. Borden almost carried Marilla down stairs. "Now get good and rested, " he said. "It will be a sad time. Deathalways is. "

Oh, how delightful the beautiful house was! They went through to thelibrary where the grate fire had been kindled and Marilla drew a long, happy breath. Why she felt almost well. Jane brought her some hot milkand presently spread a dainty little luncheon on the library table. They had quite a cheerful time and it seemed as if she improved everymoment. 

Dr. Richards thought he would never get through with the officepatients this afternoon and he was impatient to know what hadhappened. As for his own experiences they must be kept to himself forsome time. Indeed he almost felt as if it was a dream. He had seenMarilla only three times since her return. First she had gone to theoffice to report to him and let him see what the seaside had done forher, then the episode of measles had kept her indoors as well as thebabies. He had met her twice with her precious freight, and even onSundays she had not found time to go to Miss Armitage. 

She told the story over to save the child's nerves. "And so the poorold lady has gone. Yet I think it hardly fair for you to have to waitupon her so much. "

"Oh then Mrs. Holmes came and she was very nice. But as soon as I camein with the babies she went out for her walk and Aunt Hetty wanted meto read to her. She liked so to have me read, and somehow she seemedgentler and quite sweet like after she was so poorly. I liked itbetter than being so much with the children. They were growing so bigand strong and wanted to keep tumbling over me. It made me so tiredsometimes. "

"Marilla is never going back there, " Dr. Richards said decisively. "She isn't strong enough for a nurse girl. "

"No, she is not going back. I went out awhile ago to see that Mrs. Johnson, but she thought the place an excellent one, and that it was abad thing to change girls about, making them dissatisfied everywhere, but I meant to bide my time, and find an opportunity. Now I think theywill be willing to give her up as they have a grown-up woman. She camewhile I was there. Dr. Baker told them Marilla had a weak heart, and Ithink it startled them. They have no idea how hard she has beenworked. "

Oh, he longed to tell her of Marilla's good fortune. Somehow they mustmanage to share the child between them. She had the lovely home andthe mother heart, and he wanted a home with a sweet little girl init. 

At Arch street there was a good deal of confusion. Cousins and nieceswho had called only at rare intervals on Mrs. Vanderveer were mostattentive, suddenly. They did wonder between themselves if Aunt Hettywas going to leave _all_ her money to John Borden!

The new nurse, Lizzie by name, was really a great comfort. She took upthe babies in the morning, bathed and dressed them and gave them theirbreakfast. They still took their midday nap but she managed tointroduce some discipline, yet she was not harsh. Master Jack stood alittle in awe of her. She was a good seamstress also. 

So passed the three days and they brought Aunt Hetty down in theparlor and put her in a fine casket, keeping the doors shut until thehour for service. Mrs. Seymour had the nurse bring the children in herhouse. So they said prayers reverently, sang some lovely parting hymnsand laid her away, her long life on earth finished. 

The relatives were asked to meet at Mr. Borden's office the next dayat ten to hear the will read. 

Was ever any will satisfactory where property was divided up intosmall gifts? Five hundred dollars to this one and to that one, threehundred apiece to some others. Jack, Jr. , had five hundred, thebabies, three hundred, and Marilla Bond, three hundred. 

"It was very nice of her in a way, " said Mrs. Borden, "but I think onehundred dollars would have been remembrance enough for the littlewaiting on she did, and I find Lizzie is of much more service than shewas. Of course she costs more. I shall go out to the Home some dayand give her up on account of her health. Miss Armitage might as welltake her. She'll make a nice little waitress maid. And now that thehouse is clear I feel that we needn't economize so closely. You andJohn get your five hundred with the rest, and she gave me her diamondear rings after we came back in the summer. It was smart in her not tohave John make her will, so none of them can say he persuaded her. Well, now we can settle ourselves to the next thing. "

CHAPTER XII

A WONDERFUL HAPPENING

Mrs. Borden was surprised that Mrs. Johnson received back MarillaBond's indentures with no remonstrance or objection. She certainly hadnot known about this weak heart. The child had never been ill, butsomething else might come to hand. She was glad there was no otherreason and that the little girl had proved trustworthy. 

Miss Armitage was also surprised that Mrs. Johnson would not agree toan immediate transferrence. 

"You may go on keeping her for awhile, " said the lady in a loftymanner. "_You_ may tire of her. We will see presently. "

That was all the permission she could get and it was a blow to MissArmitage. She had come to love the child with a fervor she had hardlydreamed of and Marilla simply adored her. Dr. Richards teased her alittle about her fortune. She was quite a welcome guest at the Bordensand the twins almost devoured her when she came, but poor Bridget wasnearly heart broken. 

"If I had a little girl of my own I could hardly love her any better, and Marilla Bond, if I was a rich woman I'd steal you some day andwe'd go off to some place in Europe, Paris, maybe, and have abeautiful house and servants to wait on us and horses and a carriageand we'd travel about like grand folks. It would be as nice as thatnight when you went to the palace and danced with the Prince, and I'dbuy you fine clothes and diamonds and I'd wait on you hand and foot; Idon't wonder the babies loved you. You are the sweetest thing the goodGod ever sent down here!"

And then Marilla hugged Bridget and kissed her and they both cried outof pure love. 

"That Lizzie does very well and don't bother me, but it isn't likehaving some one to slip up to you with a smile of sunshine that warmsyour heart through and through. "

Yet it was flattering to be so well loved, but she did not want tocome back and be a nurse maid again. Ah, if she could only stay withMiss Armitage! She began to study a little, she was so eager to learn. The music enchanted her and she was delighted to pick out tunes withher soft touch. 

"I don't understand what Mrs. Johnson means, " Miss Armitage said tothe doctor. "I offered to adopt Marilla and educate her and see thatshe was well placed in life. I have no near relatives, and I don'tbelieve I shall ever marry, I like my life as it is, but she was sosort of mysterious and secretive and declared she could not give ananswer at present, as if she had some further plans. I did make themost of her having a weak heart--you said so and Doctor Baker as well. Oh, do you believe there is any real danger?"

She turned pale at the thought. 

"With care I think she will outgrow it. She has lived in anoverstrained atmosphere with those children. Then it was a dreadfulshock to have the old lady die that way when she was looking for atender recognition. What happened about a fortnight before?"

"I do not know, I found her unconscious. The ladies were out, the oldAunt had a stroke. It is such a sweet, promising life, and can bedeveloped into something worth while. You may think me visionary--"

Oh, why could she not see this other life that might be blessed andbroadened by her love!

"I am afraid there is something back of it all that I cannot fathom, "she continued. "It haunts me. Suppose you were to see this Mrs. Johnson. A man can sometimes penetrate plans--"

And he was in collusion with Mrs. Johnson, keeping the secret from thewoman he loved, but if there should be some mistake!

"Yes, I will see Mrs. Johnson, " he said slowly. 

A light footfall came down the stairs, and Marilla flew to his side. 

"Oh, I thought I heard your voice, " and both small hands clasped his. "Fairy godmother I have spelled all those queer words until I can justfeel them in my brain. Oh, doctor, when I wrote you that letter lastsummer wasn't some words wrongly spelled? You see I _had_ forgottensome things, and I am learning so much. I want to stay here, and Idon't believe any one else wants me--only the babies might. "

When she glanced up at times it seemed as if the pupil that was somuch darker than the iris that it flooded it with the tint of theunder wave that seemed to overflow the crest of the swell. They wereunusual eyes, changing with every emotion. She looked quite wellagain, and the lips were rosy. 

"Oh, you don't?" with a queer little smile. "Well the babies can'thave you. "

"Oh, Bridget thinks if she were rich she would run away with me, " andshe laughingly detailed the woman's plan for their journeying about. 

"If Bridget should get a windfall--servants do sometimes, we shouldhave to keep a sharp eye on you both, and now I must go. "

"Can't he stay to dinner?" She crossed over and pressed MissArmitage's hand to her soft cheek. 

"Why we shall be glad to have him, but you must notify Jane andNorah. "

She returned with the compliments of both. While they were waiting forthe summons and being beguiled with her pleasant chatter he wasthinking what a charming family group they would make. If he only hadthe old fortune!

They had an enjoyable time and when they returned to the library shebegged him to play chess. She was so fond of following the deviouscourse of the opposing parties. 

"Office calls will not begin until eight, " he said and she rolled upthe table and brought out the beautiful chess men. She was always sodeft it was a pleasure to watch her. 

He was playing for the white queen; he often did. This time he studiedhis moves cautiously. But Miss Armitage had played so much with heruncle. Then the telephone rang and he went astray. 

She answered it. "For Dr. Richards, a Mr. Lorimer was in the office, wanted to see him at once. Important; everything was progressingfinely. Could he not see the little heiress that evening?"

He looked at Miss Armitage in ludicrous dismay. 

"What is it?" she asked. 

"Your sin finds you out, doesn't it?" with an amused yet deprecatingsmile. "I suppose I ought to have explained before, but really I couldhardly believe it would amount to anything. Marilla must have comefrom fairy land to have all these things happen to her. May I ask Mr. Lorimer here?"

"Certainly. You are very mysterious. "

Dr. Richards went on with the telephone talk, giving explicitdirections how to find Loraine place where they were all assembled, and, all anxious to hear his story. Then he took both little softhands in his. 

"What would you say if a real fortune was coming to you?"

"Why there's Aunt Hetty's money and that will double in fourteenyears, Mr. Borden said, but I like fairy godmother better than anyfortune. Come, and go on with the game. "

"No, I must explain to Miss Armitage. This was why Mrs. Johnson actedrather queer. She was enjoined to silence. And the funny thing was shedidn't half believe it. "

He sat down and placed his arm around Marilla, drawing her nearer. Miss Armitage had a little jealous pang. 

"On the side of Marilla's mother an old man died recently who wasnearly a hundred. He had a sort of farm and an old house and livedlike a hermit with pigs and ducks and chickens. He had six children, but they married and went off. This is the fourth generation. Therewas no will so they had to find all the heirs in order to get a gooddeed to the property. They traced Mrs. Bond and learned she has left achild. They found the woman who had kept her, but on her re-marriageshe had placed the child at Bethany Home, Newton. So Mr. Lorimer, anold chum of mine came to this place, as he is a member of the firmsettling the estate. We went out to the Home--"

"How long ago?" asked Miss Armitage. 

"Well, something over a fortnight. We had a rather difficult time topersuade Mrs. Johnson to give up the important papers. She is verymatter of fact and I suppose has heard many a wild story that came tonothing. You see she always keeps whatever comes with a child untilthe girl is eighteen, when they are given to her. We found old DoctorLangdon who could substantiate everything and who gave an affidavit, so they were to proceed at once to a settlement. The city has taken astrip for an avenue extension, and they want a good deed. I heardfrom Lorimer a few days ago, and he said that everything was right, that he should be at Newton shortly and wanted to see Marilla Bond. "

"And how much may this wonderful fortune be?" The lady's tone wasslightly sarcastic. "They are apt to shrink by payment time. "

"Somewhere about ten thousand, I believe. Not enough to make one amillionaire, but it will educate her and give her some journeysoutside of fairy land, " laughing a little. "Perhaps fairy godmotherwon't send you adrift for such an accident, " looking down in thewondering eyes. 

"The best fortune of all is fairy godmother. " Marilla went around andkissed her, clasped both her hands. 

"When I heard from Lorimer that it was all fair sailing I went out andcalled on Mrs. Johnson. Well, you should have seen her! She was quiteset up on a pinnacle and declared that she must write out the story. It is as well I suppose that Newton should have it first hand, and shewill take most of the glory. The Bordens will be surprised. "

There was a touch of awkwardness in the silence. Miss Armitage did nottake kindly to the fortune. She would rather have the child oweeverything to her. She had plenty of money. It would be like a youngsister growing up beside her, for somehow she felt curiously young. Marilla had a simple charming grace that would render her veryattractive. Her perfect candor and honesty joined with a peculiar finereticence unusual in a child had appealed strongly to Miss Armitage. Even her gratitude had a winsome delicacy in it, and it would be agracious work to train her in lovely womanly ways through the years tocome. 

Did the child feel the subtle atmosphere?

"Fairy godmother, you will always be the best thing in my life, " shesaid in a soft, sweet tone. "In the summer when I was wondering inthat strange country and could not remember much, I felt a sweet quietwhen you came, just as if some one found me and I was safe. Oh, I hadnever loved any one so dearly. I saw so little of my own mother andshe was always tired, fairy godmothers are different. "

The door bell rang. "That must be Lorimer, " said Dr. Richards and hereached the hall just as Jane opened the door. Miss Armitage let himgreet his friend before she rose. 

"Can't I bring him in here?" asked the doctor. 

"Oh, yes. "

"This room is my ideal, Lorimer. The grate fire and the shelves ofbooks give one an immediate welcome. And allow me to present you tothe presiding genius, Miss Armitage. "

It was indeed a charming home with an atmosphere that penetrated one'ssoul, and they two looked as if they might have been born in it, theyimpressed you as being a subtle part of it. It was like a vision asLorimer was seating himself, and his eyes caught the situation of thechess men. 

"Some one made a false move, " he exclaimed, laughing. 

"Is the white queen in danger? I can't have her taken, " Marilla saidbreathlessly. 

"Oh, are you on her side? If I had time I'd rescue her. I suppose myfriend here, the doctor, has explained my errand--the rest is--youare the little white queen and I am an ogre come to capture you andtake you away. "

"But I'm not going, " returned the child. "When one has a fairygodmother one is enchanted and the evil ogre is powerless. "

"Oh, is it that way? Then I must sue humbly to the power above andpresent my case, for indeed, if you didn't want your fortune you wouldstop the wheels of division and perhaps be accused of contempt ofcourt--which you don't know a word about. You are quite a littleheroine with your romantic story, and I am charged to bring you intocourt and prove you are Marilla Bond, entitled to a slice of this piethey are going to serve. "

"Are there four and twenty black birds in it?" she asked mirthfully. 

"Oh, more than that, but there is no flaw in your claim, and I haveunearthed a delightful relative for you, a cousin of your mother'swith whom much of her early life was passed. After her marriage theyseemed to fall apart as people often do, and she heard you were alldead. She has three charming girls, fourteen, eleven and seven. Mrs. Warren made me promise to bring you direct to her; she is veryanxious to see you and will take good care of you. "

Miss Armitage had a stunned sort of feeling. There were relatives whomight have a right to her. She was no longer a waif for some one'scharity. 

"You will bring her back?" she said hurriedly. 

"Oh, of course. They are not likely to make her a ward in chancery asif she had a million. Dr. Richards will be her guardian, you will likethat, won't you?" smiling at her bright-eyed watchfulness. 

"I don't quite know what a guardian is, " doubtfully, glancing at heroldest friend, "Mr. Borden never spoke of one. "

"That estate has not been settled yet, " remarked the doctor. "Atrustee might answer for that. "

"A guardian is a person appointed to see that you have a good home, and do not waste your money, but I have heard of guardians who wastedit for you. We shall have the doctor bound securely, and you must havean allowance for clothes and various needs, such as ice cream andcandy. "

Marilla laughed then. It seemed amusing and very delightful that thedoctor should have some real right to her. 

"You have never been to New York?"

"Oh, no!" with a wonder in her tone. 

"Then it will be a great treat. Can she be ready by tomorrowmorning?"

"Will she be really needed?"

"Oh, yes, tomorrow is set for the finishing of her business; I mustget back early. There is a big fight on another estate. What an amountof litigation money does make! This has been clear sailing after wefound all the heirs and fenced out all those who had no claim. MissMarilla Bond, I congratulate you, and I should really like to hearMrs. Johnson on the subject. Were you happy there?"

"I liked it better at Mrs. Borden's, but it is best here, " sheanswered. 

They branched off into several amusing episodes. Miss Armitage orderedsome coffee and cake. Lorimer glanced at the chess men. 

"Why were you on the side of the white queen?" he asked. 

"Because--because I chose her for Miss Armitage, and nothing musthappen to her. "

Oh! There was an earnest of love in the beautiful eyes. She was acharming little girl. 

Then they made all arrangements; they were to take the 8:10 train. "Could Marilla be ready that early in the morning?"

"Yes, " was the rather reluctant answer. 

They made their adieu. Lorimer thanked her for a delightful evening. 

"I suppose it's all settled, old fellow! You are lucky with theprospect of such a home and such a presiding--shall I call her thegoddess of the hearth? That room is a perfect gem, and you threepeople are to the manner born. "

"Not so fast if you please. It is outside of my daily life, a place ofrest and refreshing where a pilgrim may pause now and then. "

"You two people are in love. "

"I am, I admit. "

"Then you are a dolt if you don't go in and win. "

"I asked her more than a year ago. She gave me friendship. We aresimply good comrades in our work for the world. "

"She doesn't look like a woman whose heart is buried in some one'sgrave. "

"She has a foolish, insurmountable reason. I am a few years herjunior, " he said in a half satiric tone. "And I have a reason thatescaped me then. She is rich and I am comparatively poor. "

"Nonsense! There should never be anything but pure love between theman and the woman who are the complement of each other. What afascinating picture you three made! And you both love the child. I'mglad she is going to have a chance with education. With those eyes sheought to be beyond the ordinary. "

"Then she will be in good hands. "

"Al--you are an idiot. Some day you will rue this shilly-shallying. "

Dr. Richards' reply was an unmirthful laugh, as if he was not rueingthe mischance all the time. But he was proud and would not go back ofhis word. 

CHAPTER XIII

A NEW ATMOSPHERE

They came back to the sleepy grate fire. Miss Armitage said--"You mustgo to bed for you will have to be up early in the morning. "

"I shall only stay a little while, " as if she had been musing over herjourney. "Fairy godmother why don't you come, too?"

"Well, you see I was not asked, I am outside of all this business. "

The voice was on the verge of a touch of bitterness, though nature andendeavor had made it sweet. 

"Why, that's funny. They did not know how much I should want you. I'llask the doctor in the morning. Oh, I wonder if I shall like thoselittle cousins?"

"No, dear, you must not speak of it. There is nothing for me to do. Sometime we will go to the city together and have a nice outing. "

"Are you glad the doctor is going to be my guardian, and--about thefortune?"

"You couldn't have a better one. "

"Can't women be guardians? But I'd rather have you for a fairygodmother. No one else in the whole wide world could be that, youknow. For the one in the dream wasn't truly alive. I don't believe shecould have taken care of a sick body. Oh you are so sweet! I love you!love you!"

Would the child always love her? She was coming to the crucial years. She was very fond and sincere now, but she had cause to be grateful. She knew so little of the world, she had a winsome charm that wasunfolding every day, she would be attractive to others. Jane was herfervent admirer, Bridget adored her, the babies capered around whenthey saw her in a species of Indian dance. 

Yes, she would win love, she would not be dependent on her alone. Would there come a time when she would flit from the wing of fairygodmother and find her only an ordinary friend?

There seemed a sudden dreariness in the world like a bright dayclouding over. It ought not look so to a woman of five and thirtywith health and prosperity and plenty of work that did interest her. Other orphan girls might appeal to her to make their lonely livesblossom with hope and happiness. 

Yes, she must let her go with earnest wishes for her future. She wouldrejoice in whatever came to her and not ask all the fragrance of thesweet young soul. So she kissed Marilla a tender good-night. 

There were tears in the child's eyes when she started on her journey. Mr. Lorimer met them at the station with a beautiful box ofchocolates, and there was a pile of illustrated papers. She had solittle idea of money that even now it was not to be weighed in thebalance with fairy godmother. 

They passed through pretty towns but autumn had stripped the gardensof their beauty. Even the clumps of evergreens on the lawns lookedlonesome. She had never gone through a gloomy tunnel before and was alittle frightened. Emerging from it the great city filled her withwonder. 

Then they took a hack. Oh, how full of everything the streets were, pedestrians dodging this way and that, vehicles in a snarl andtrolleys whizzing by. It was a miracle people did not get run over. 

They reached their destination and Lorimer ushered them in a sort ofante room, taking her to a lady who rose to greet them. 

"And so this is cousin Marion's little girl who has been motherlessfor years! We heard you were dead. If I had known you were living Ishould have come for you. We were very dear to each other but on hermarriage she went away. I can't see that you resemble her much exceptthat she was fair and had light curly hair, and how she did hate it!"laughed Mrs. Warren. 

"I like it, " rejoined Marilla. 

"And she used to soap it and brush it and would never let it reallycurl; but it was a bed of waves. Oh, child! I'm glad to see you. I wasvery fond of your mother, and though our fortunes are not very large Isuppose we can be thankful for them. It was a great surprise to me. You're hardly old enough to realize all its benefits. "

Lorimer went to see when their turn would come. Mrs. Warren and thedoctor talked about Marilla. Then they were summoned to a crowdedroom where men were signing papers and there was such a hum of talkingit was like a swarm of bees. 

Marilla held tightly to Mrs. Warren's hand. Dr. Richards was answeringquestions and a man seemed to verify them from books and papers. Theyhad a corner to themselves. Then Marilla was questioned about the Homeand her being bound-out and she had to declare she was the same littlegirl, that her mother and father were dead, that she had always livedat Newton. 

Then some papers were signed and she was taken in a small room whichwas filled with tall cases and a great business desk where sat asharp-eyed man. He wheeled around so suddenly that she started. 

"Don't be frightened, " he said. "Is Dr. Richards a relative? Do youlive with him?"

"No, but he had been so good to her when Miss Armitage had taken herin so she need not go to the hospital. She had been bound-out but thefamily could not take care of her. Some one had just died. "

"Would she like Dr. Richards for her guardian? Had any one told hershe must have him?"

"Oh, I want him, I love him, " and the flood of eager joy in her sweetface answered him as truly as the words. 

He was curiously interested and drew her out a little further, charmedwith her simplicity. 

Then Doctor Richards had to sign the bond and they were dismissed. Mrs. Warren would take her home, and her guardian would come in theafternoon and take dinner with them and meet Mr. Warren. 

There were two trolley rides, then a walk from the corner. The housewas in a brick row up on the East side with a little park opposite, and the river only a block away. 

The basement windows had tall iron bars that suggested a prison to thechild. They ascended the high stoop and the hall door was flung openwhile a chorus of eager voices cried--

"Oh, is this the new cousin?"

"Yes, Marilla Bond. This is Edith, this is May and this is our babyJessie--"

"We were afraid you wouldn't get here in time. We had begun ourlunch--"

"Run back dears, we will be down in a minute. "

They kissed Marilla with sweet heartiness that won her at once. Mrs. Warren took off her wrap and hat and they went down. How strange itwas to have these girls smiling and expressing delight. 

"You're going to keep her, mother?" declared Edith. 

"Oh yes, as long as her guardian will let her stay. You will find herhere when you come back. "

"And wasn't it funny to have a fortune drop down on you? Mother couldhardly believe it at first, and then we were so glad to find you. "

Marilla glanced up with a smile, but she wanted to cry for very joy. 

Then they kissed her again and ran off to school. 

"Were there any children where you lived?"

"Not at Miss Armitage's. That was where I was ill. She took me in, butI had to go back to Mrs. Borden's when I was strong enough. And thenan old lady died and I fainted again and the doctor said it wassomething with the heart, and they had to take a bigger girl. Then Iwent to Miss Armitage again. She is so dear and sweet. I want to staythere always. "

"You poor child! You see we were in Western New York when your motherdied and we didn't hear of it in a long while. We should not have letyou go to that Home. Were they good to you?"

"Well, you see some of the children were not very good, and they onlygave you so much to eat. Sometimes you felt real hungry. I tried to begood for I didn't like to be punished, " she said naively. "You had toscrub floors and learn psalms, when you didn't get whipped. I likedthe hymns, only they were not always sweet and pretty, and we went inschool at nine and had one little recess. Then after dinner, andschool until four, and if you missed you had to stay in. You sewedhalf an hour then and could play out of doors until six, then you hadsupper and went to bed. "

"What kind of sewing was it?"

"Oh, you hemmed towels and sheets and pillow cases, and mended. Thelittle girls couldn't, so you had to look after their things, and darntheir stockings. On Saturday afternoon one of the teachers took youout walking but it was in the woods and the country. All the girlswere _so_ glad when they were twelve or almost, so they could getaway. Mrs. Johnson was very sharp. "

"And the lady you went to live with?"

"Oh she was very nice; and her sister. There was a boy of five andtwin babies--"

"You didn't have to take care of the babies?"

"Only to play with them and amuse them. They were very fat and Mrs. Borden didn't like me to lift them. Then I used to wheel them in theircarriage. I liked that only when it was very cold--or hot. The storeswere so pretty, and you met other girls. I used to read the books inthe windows; Jack had lots of books. I used to show the pictures tothe babies and tell them stories and they would laugh so, just as ifthey understood it all. They were very good and merry, but it was along while before they could walk, they were so fat. "

"How did she come to let you go?"

"It was one very hot day--and somehow I was so dreadfully tired allthe time, I sat down on a stoop--it was a beautiful, shady street withgreat trees, and most everybody had gone away. The babies were notvery well and a little cross. You had to be doing things all thewhile, and--I don't know what happened, but I fell off the stoop andsome one picked me up and then Miss Armitage who lived opposite cameover and had me taken to her house and for a long while I just seemedin the dark and didn't know anything. It was then that Dr. Richardscame. They were all so good, and it was like being in heaven. TheBordens had gone to Long Island and the babies were very sick gettingsome teeth, and they wanted me, I was bound, you know, so I had to goas soon as I was well enough. Part of it was very nice; the babiescould walk then. After we came back"--she made a little pause for shehad not even told Dr. Richards Jack's part in the mishap--"I faintedone day. Their old aunt was ill and she wanted me, so I went and--itwas dreadful--she died and I fainted again. Then Miss Armitage cameand took me home with her. Mrs. Borden took a new nursemaid, a grownup woman and was willing to let me go, and these other thingshappened. Oh, I want to stay always with Miss Armitage. "

"You poor little girl! I think you have had a rather hard time. Whatdoes Dr. Richards say?"

"The other doctor said I had a weak heart. Does that make you faintaway? It's almost like dying--you don't seem to know anything for along while, and it is very hard to get back. "

"You have been worked pretty hard I guess. " How simply the child hadtold her story. "But now life will be better. I am very glad thislittle fortune has come to you, and now I am going up stairs a fewmoments, and you may look over the books on the table. I will soon beback. "

Instead Marilla looked about the room. The front one was the parlor, very nicely furnished. The back one shut off the end of the hall. There were three French windows reaching to the floor, the last onebeing a door leading out to an enclosed porch with windows that wouldbe very pleasant in summer. There was only a small yard with a tinygrass plot and an alleyway running through at the back. 

There was a big book case in one recess, a lounge, a Morris chair anda substantial center table containing books and papers. It had ahome-like, well used look, with several cosy rocking chairs. 

Mrs. Warren returned with some sewing and without evincing unduecuriosity led Marilla to talk of her past, though the child reallyknew very little about her mother and seemed to have no tender orregretful regard for this Mrs. Jaques. But her whole heart went out toMiss Armitage in something like worship. 

The girls came home and in a short time they were all friends. Itseemed odd to them that Marilla had never been to a real school. Jessie was in the kindergarten, but would enter the primary inFebruary. May was there and Edith hoped to get in the High Schoolanother year. Then they carried her off to their play room. This wasthe hall bedroom on the next floor. There was a small book case, asort of closet with glass doors where playthings were kept and oneshelf devoted to dolls. Marilla stood entranced before it. 

"Have you many dolls?" asked May. 

"I never had a doll since my mama died, " and there were tears in thechild's voice. 

"But at Christmas--didn't you ever get a doll?"

"I was in a home for orphan girls, Mrs. Johnson didn't think it wasright for girls to waste their time on dolls. One Christmas some storesent such a beautiful lot and she returned them all. Some of us criedand we had to learn a lot of bible verses about improving your time. Occasionally a girl would get a clothes pin and tie the middle of herhandkerchief around the head, and play it was a baby, and lend it out, then they would all get punished. I used to feel so sorry. Dolls areso sweet if they are only make believe. Where I lived the babies hadrubber dolls that they could bang on the floor, but they were ugly. This one is splendid. "

"That is mine, " said Edith. "One of our cousins brought it from Paris. It can walk a little and say 'Mama. ' I'm too big to play with dolls, and I've given the others to May and Jessie. "

"And we play tea with them. It is so lovely out on the back porch inthe summer and mother lets us take the things down there. And I canmake clothes, " said May. "But now you can have a doll, because you aregoing to have some money of your very own. "

"Yes, " she returned slowly. 

There were many pretty things that Marilla wondered at. Edith took outher doll and put it in the visitor's arms. It had such a lovely facethat Marilla hugged it up tight and wanted to kiss it. Why it wasfifty times sweeter than the twins. 

Then they led her to their room. There were two pretty brass beds. 

"Edith has the smaller one because she sleeps alone, " explained May, "and we little ones love to sleep together. "

There were two chiffoniers, and a big closet between the rooms, twopretty willow rockers and some lovely pictures beside various smallgifts one could hang up or stand around. How charming it was!

Edith said she must go and study her lessons. May brought out herpretty dishes and her card albums. One was partly full of such prettykittens Marilla wanted to hug them. Another was Christmas, Easter andbirthday cards. 

Marilla gave a soft little sigh. How many precious things she hadmissed out of her life! And though she could not have put it intowords it was the tender companionship of childhood, of kindred tastesand eager loves. In the desert of Bethany Home all these emotions hadbeen rigorously repressed. It was best for girls not to expect toomuch in the homes of other people, the little Cinderella whose placewas in the chimney corner. 

"Marilla, " called the voice of Mrs. Warren, in a sort of joyous tone, "Dr. Richards has come. "

She almost flew down stairs and he clasped her in his arms. 

"I am so happy, " she cried in a voice tremulous with emotion. "Itseems such a long, long while since morning so much has happened, andMrs. Warren is to be my Aunt Grace, she said so, and I have threecousins!"

Her face was alight with happiness. 

"I wonder if you would get homesick if we did not go back to Newtonuntil some time next week?"

"Oh, no. I shouldn't get homesick at all! But I couldn't stay awayfrom fairy godmother a _long_ while. If I didn't have her, Aunt Gracewould take me, and the girls are just splendid!"

"I've been to a hospital this afternoon and I want to learn some newthings to take home with me, so I will write. You must write, too. I've brought you some envelopes addressed and stamped. Why do yousmile?"

"I was thinking of the letter I wrote to you in the summer, and I hadto beg everything to write with, and Edith has such a nice portablewriting desk, and the girls have portfolios, and they all go toschool. Oh, it must be splendid to go to school with a crowd of nicegirls and have a lovely teacher. "

She had been leading him through the parlor. Mrs. Warren met them andhe went on in the sitting room, apologizing for his early appearance. 

"Oh, I want you to come in and see your ward whenever you can, and Ishall beg for quite a visit from her. "

"That will suit me. I feel that I have grown a little rusty and wantto look into some new methods. What a wonderful city it is! It quiteshames a country doctor. "

"I suppose so, " smiling. "You should come in often. Mr. Warren will behome presently and glad to meet you. Will you excuse me a few moments?This is my eldest daughter, Edith. "

"And can't the others come?" asked Marilla. 

"Why, yes, if you like. "

Dr. Richards was used to children. He thought he liked girls the best, and this was an attractive circle. How Marilla was enjoying it. Hereyes quivered with flashes of pleasure. Yes, children needed otherchildren to start the real flow of delight through their veins, andhis little Cinderella did not suffer by comparison. 

Mr. Warren came in and welcomed his guest cordially, looking over thelittle girl about whom they had speculated. She was very attractivejust now, with her face of sunshine and her eyes with their starrylook under the long curling lashes. 

The men had to discuss the queer unexpected fortune. The Warrens hadbeen notified nearly a year before. 

"But I hadn't much faith in it, " laughed Mr. Warren. "My wife hadreally forgotten her family lineage, and we should hardly have claimedthe Schermerhorns. There's so much red tape in these matters and bythe time the expenses are paid, there's little left for the heirs, butthis turns out better than I supposed, considering the manydescendants the old man had. I can't complain of the lawyers. "

"And we were very glad to find Marion's child, though I wish I hadknown it when her mother died. Do you want to keep her at Newton?"

"I think Miss Armitage has some claims, " he returned. 

"And I feel as if we ought to make up for our negligence. "

The children were in a little huddle on the corner of the sofa. Whatwas Newton like? A real city?

"Why there are some beautiful long streets and stores and churches anda park and rows of houses built together like this, and schools andtrolleys--"

"Why it must be a city then?" said Edith. "Has it a mayor and a cityhall and a postoffice?"

"It has a mayor and a postoffice and a court house. Mr. Borden used totalk of going there. "

"It is a very old town, " explained the guardian, "dating farther backthan the Revolution, yet it was not much of a business center untilthe last thirty years; but it is very pretty and ratheraristocratic. "

"Children, " said their mother, "go and make yourselves ready fordinner. "

"What lovely curly hair, " exclaimed May, half in envy. "I wish minecurled. "

"But you have two such beautiful braids. " "Jessie's curled a littlebut it was so thin mother kept cutting it. Dear me! You wouldn't catchme soaping and brushing the curl out of it if mine curled, " declaredMay. 

They had a rather merry time at dinner and the children did not seem abit afraid to talk, though they were not aggressive. But Dr. Richardsthought his little ward compared very favorably with the others. Herdaintiness suggested Miss Armitage, he fancied. 

They sat a long while over their dessert of fruit and nuts, and thenthe guest said he would have to go as he wanted to attend a lecture byan eminent surgeon. He would be in tomorrow morning. 

"I thought I would take Marilla out shopping with me. Come in todinner again and spend the whole evening. "

Dr. Richards promised to. 

The others went up to the sitting room. Mr. Warren took possession ofthe big Morris chair, May had one knee, Jessie the other and Edithseated herself on the broad arm and placed her arm over her father'sshoulder. They always exacted an hour of their father and he gave itwith the utmost fondness. 

"And here is a place for you, little Marilla, " he said. "Now the chairis full. I've wondered sometimes if Edith wouldn't tip us over. "

"I'd have to be as fat as Auntie Belle to do that, " she laughed, "andnow papa I want Marilla to tell you about a queer Home she was put inwhere they wouldn't let the little girls have dolls nor playthings, and they made dollies out of clothes pins and had to hide them. "

"That was cruel to little girls. Why they have dolls by right and noone should prevent them. Didn't you play any?"

"Oh yes, out of doors, tag and Uncle John and Scotland's burning, andLady Jane, and Ring around a Rosy; and then in summer you had to pullweeds in the garden. When it rained you had to march in doors, but ifyou tried to dance a little you had to go and sit down. Oh, they werevery strict. "

"And what else did you do?"

"All the bigger girls made the beds and twice a week brushed up thefloors, and every little while you went in the kitchen for a week andhelped with the cooking so you would know how to work. When you weretwelve they bound you out and you had to stay until you wereeighteen. "

"But didn't you study any?"

"Oh, yes, there was school every day. "

"And did _you_ get bound-out?"

"Yes. " She flushed a little. 

"But you did not stay?"

"Oh, tell papa about the babies, " cried Edith. 

"And did you ever notice the Campbell's soup little girl with herround eyes?"

"Who gets fat on eating soup? Yes, " and he laughed. 

"They looked something like that, " said Marilla. "They were so fat andthey had such round eyes, and you could make them laugh so easily. Iwent to take care of them and amuse them, but they were so good, theyhardly ever cried, and I used to ride them round--they had such abeautiful wagon! But sometimes it seemed so heavy, it had to be big, you know, and then there was Jack. He wasn't very good, but afterawhile he went to kindergarten. "

"But how did you get away if you were bound?"

She told the story very simply and how a lovely lady took her in andshe was ill a long while, and she knew this was a fairy godmother, soshe always called her that, because--

"Because what?"

"It was a curious dream I had. Bridget said it was a dream; but itseemed so real, and I was Cinderella. "

"Oh, do tell us!" they pleaded. 

"I am afraid it's silly, " and she flushed. 

"Cinderella is lovely, and did you see the Prince?"

They all looked so eager that she was persuaded. So she began bysitting in the corner of the kitchen and they listened as if they wereenchanted. She was so vivid it seemed as if her face was transfigured. Mrs. Warren dropped her sewing and bent forward. 

Edith drew a long breath and squeezed the new cousin's hand. "Oh" shecried, "it's lovelier than the real Cinderella, and you danced withthe Prince? Can you dance--truly?"

"Oh, yes, after that, I used to dance for Bridget. Mrs. Johnsonwouldn't let you, she thought it wicked. It's queer how people thinkabout things, and I danced for the babies. Mrs. Borden and her sisterwent to dancing parties; they didn't think it wrong. It's sobeautiful. "

"Our cousins Isabel and Charlie Firth go to dancing school. Motherthinks I may go next winter. They are teaching it in some schools. "

"Children, " said Mrs. Warren, "do you know what time it is? You mustgo to bed. Marilla you have betwitched us all. And papa will havehardly time to read his paper. Come. Marilla will not run away, so youcan have her tomorrow night. "

Mr. Warren kissed all the little girls and they trooped off. 

"You may sleep on the lounge in my room, Edith, and give Marilla yourbed, I can't send her up stairs alone, and now you must not say a wordafter your prayers for I know she is clear tired out. "

They were generally very good children to mind. Their mother left themwith a good-night kiss. Mr. Warren had rolled his chair nearer thecenter table and taken up his paper. 

"Mother, " he exclaimed, "that Marilla is an unusual child. Howbeautifully she describes everything, but the sweetest trait about heris her utter lack of bitterness. Most children would have been sharpand disparaging about Mrs. Johnson, but she never uttered a bitterword. It really was wonderful. I hope that Dr. Richards will give hera first-class education, and I'd like to see that fairy godmother. Marilla needs good care, she isn't very strong, but there is happinessin every pulse of her small body. I wish we could keep her. "

The next morning the children had to kiss her half a dozen timesbefore they went to school, and make her promise over and over againthat she would not let Dr. Richards take her home. While Mrs. Warrenwas doing up her morning's work Marilla wrote her letter to MissArmitage, who smiled over the thrill of delight that ran through it. Aunt Grace was so sweet and lovely and she couldn't describe the girlsfor she didn't know any words that were beautiful enough and goodenough to apply to them. Jessie was a real little beauty with the mostwonderful eyes that were like brown velvet and sunshine, and shedidn't know father's could be so sweet as Uncle Warren. Maybe Mr. Borden would love the twins that way when they grew older. They mightbe prettier then. But her dear fairy godmother lived in her mind allthe time, she wanted her to see and hear everything. There would be somuch to tell her that she couldn't write. 

It was a wonderful day to Marilla. Such splendid stores and gowns thatwere fit for queens. Such beautiful dishes and jewelry, such stacks ofbooks; and, oh, such dolls holding out their hands with a pleadinglook in their eyes. She could hardly tear herself away. Was she toobig to have a doll?

Then they went into a cozy place and had a dainty lunch, only it didseem as if Marilla was too happy to eat. If fairy godmother were onlyhere!

Afterward they went to the Eden Musee. You had to ride from place toplace; why, it was full of strange people who never stirred. Theycould not be dead! What _was_ the matter with them? The wonder in hereyes made Mrs. Warren smile. Some were funny, too; you wanted to laughwith them. Marilla sat down in perfect despair as if she had gone tosome strange country. 

"I don't see how they can make them just like folks, " she said. "Youfeel almost sure they are going to speak to you. "

A very tired little girl it was who came home, but it was such apleasant, happy tired she didn't mind. It wasn't like dragging theheavy babies around. Aunt Grace made her lie down on the lounge andthe girls gathered round her talking it over. They had been severaltimes. 

Then Dr. Richards came in and they had such a delightful time. Why thewhole world of pleasure was fairy land when you come to think of it. "And there's the Hippodrome, " said Edith. "Oh mother don't you believefather could take us on Saturday?"

"And couldn't I go, too?"

The doctor asked in such a whimsical tone that they all laughed. Jessie sidled up to him, she was well so she need not be afraid of adoctor. She was very sweet but she wasn't quite Cinderella. 

What a fine evening they had! It seemed as if they must have knowneach other for years. Bits of Marilla's life came out unconsciously;the doing for others without thinking of herself that really didglorify it. Unwittingly she showed more of it to Dr. Richards than shehad ever before in her gratitude. Under the children's questions someof the trials came out. 

Every morning she wrote to Miss Armitage out of her full heart, andthe lady understood how she would thrive in natural companionship. Almost she felt as if she ought to yield her to these relatives, butshe wanted her. It was strange how she had left her impress everywhereyet she was a very modest little girl, demanding nothing, taking allfavors with a gratitude that was fascinating. Jane rehearsed so manypretty sayings and missed her everywhere. Bridget came around to hearwhether the story of the fortune was absolutely true. The Bordenscould hardly believe it. Mr. John Borden wished they had not let hergo quite so soon. "She certainly was a nice child, " he said. 

They went to the great stores and to Central Park, and Marillaoverflowed with happiness. Why it was like the fairy dream, and shewished the girls at the Home could have some of it, or could find afairy godmother. There were so many things to interest the doctor. Howthe days did slip away and all the time Marilla grew sweeter, dearer;but at last he said they _must_ go home. 

"Oh, how can we let you go?" cried Edith. "Why I do believe you camefrom fairy land yourself; but now you'll come and visit us often. "

"And you can come to Newton. Fairy godmother has such a lovely house, and she is so sweet. You will like her. "

Oh, the child ought not be on sufferance but have the genial freedomof a home of her very own where she could live over the childhood shehad missed and learn the glad inspiration of youth. 

What did Miss Armitage mean to do for her? Yes, she wanted her; whythere would be a great loss in life without her, but she no longerneeded charity. She could not do everything for her; as she hadplanned. Would she share a divided interest?

Dr. Richards heart yearned over her, coveted her. Marilla had crept inand taken possession of his inmost soul. It was not likely there wouldbe any other occupant. For he had never seen any sign of relenting onMiss Armitage's part. They were excellent friends. Neither oversteppedthe prescribed bounds, and he must have something to love and tocherish. 

But he had to tear himself away presently, and he carried her withhim in his heart, and the next morning he dropped in and had her allto himself. Mrs. Warren had gone to the dressmakers. 

"Oh, " Marilla said with a long sigh of delight, "how lovely it is tohave sisters! and--and a father! If I couldn't have but one I thinkI'd take the father. Isn't Mr. Warren just splendid and sweet andcharming? There's a book of poems at Miss Armitage's that has one suchbeautiful thing--'The Children's Hour. ' And they have it here. Thehour after dinner if there are no visitors belongs to the children. The smaller ones take possession of his lap and Edith sits on the armof the chair. I sat on the other, " and she laughed with such a happysound. "And they tell him everything, what they have read and studied, and the little troubles and differences and perplexities, and helistens and explains and laughs with them when it is funny, andeverything is so nice. I didn't suppose fathers could be so dear andsweet, but I never knew any real father except Mr. Borden, and Jackwas a torment. He wanted to pound and bang and wrinkle up things andask silly questions. Maybe the twins will be different, and perhapshe will love girls the best. "

"And you would like to have a father?" There was a subtle sweetness inhis tone. 

She drew a long breath, he felt the heart quiver irregularly, thelittle heart that would need careful watching the next few years, thatso far had been worked pretty hard. 

"Oh, so much!" There was an exquisite longing and a sound as of aprayer, "but you know I'd want some one I could love. "

She was ready to give, not take all. 

"Marilla, would I do?"

She raised her head and looked at him out of longing, pleading eyesthat turned joyous like a sudden glowing sunrise. 

"Oh!" she cried, "Oh!"

But the wonderful satisfying intonation would have moved any heart. 

"And I want a little girl, " he continued. "I shall never have one ofmy very own;"--it is the way a man thinks when he knows he cannot havethe woman he would choose for the mother of his children. 

She was silent. He saw the shining tears beading the curly lashes. Shewas sorry for him. 

"And if you could be _my_ little girl--"

"Oh, if I might!" and the longing freighted her tone. "If I could begood enough--if I could love you enough. Oh, I _would_ try. I shouldbe so happy. To have a father of one's own!"

"Children are sometimes adopted. "

"Yes, they were at Bethany Home, but they had to be very pretty, I'mnot--very. "

"But I love you because you are _you_, I don't want you changed anyway. I want a daughter to be a companion as I grow older, to read tome, to confide in me, to come to me in any trouble, to make a realhome, for a man alone cannot do that, and to love me very, verydearly. "

"I have always loved you, " she said simply. Then after amoment--"would I live with you?"

"Yes, when I have found a pretty home, and you will make friends andhave them visit you, and we will take journeys and have pleasures likethe Warrens. "

"Oh! How good you are!" in a tone of tremulous joy. There was a littletwinge of conscience in both hearts concerning Miss Armitage. Hesalved his, thinking if she had wanted to she might have made someproffer of adoption. Marilla hardly knew how to choose between them. If they could both go and live in Loraine place!

"I'll see Lorimer this afternoon. You have to apply to thelegislature, and you will have your name changed to Richards. Maybethe judge or some will one question you whether you are willing totake me for a father, since you are old enough to choose, and thereare several formalities, but the thing is often done, and you will bemine, mine, " pressing her to his heart in rapture. 

"I am so glad. " Every pulse throbbed with joy. 

He yielded to the subtle satisfaction and kissed the sweet mouth. Oh, he must get her strong and well and give her a lovely, long life! Likea vision he could see her growing sweeter and dearer every year, making life blossom with her love. 

Then Mrs. Warren returned and the girls came home to lunch, having amerry time talking over the Hippodrome. 

"Nearly every Saturday papa takes us somewhere, " said May. "There aresome beautiful plays for children and concerts and all summer the parkis splendid, though you can always go inside and there is so much tosee; and an automobile ride! Oh, I wish you were going to live here!"

There were so many pleasures to give his little girl. It made hisheart beat with joy to think he was going to have one. Life had seemeda bit lonely as he glanced down the years. It would never be lonelynow. He would take such pleasure in making her happy. 

"Yes, " he went on. "I'll get a pretty home and we will always betogether. "

CHAPTER XIV

THE REAL FAIRYLAND

That evening the two cousins on the Warren side came in, Isabel andWillis Firth. Isabel was just the age of Edith and Willis, older. Thechildren gave up their hour cheerfully. There was so much to talkabout, and the school was going to have an entertainment--"The Danceof All Nations. "

"I suppose not quite _all_, " said Isabel, "though the boys are to givean Indian dance in costume, and the Dutch dance is in clogs, and oh, you can't imagine how funny and clumpy it sounds, but it is realpretty with the aprons and the caps, but the Spanish is beautiful withcastanets. You must all come. Is your friend staying long?"

"I think"--rather hesitatingly, "we will go home next week. "

"Oh, that will be too bad, and the dance is to be two weeks fromtomorrow, in the afternoon, in a hall. It will be splendid!"

"I suppose this is the little cousin who came after the fortune, "said Willis, "isn't it nice to have a fortune left to you?"

"I hardly know"--hesitatingly. 

"Oh my! I'd know quick enough, " laughed the boy. "Isabel wouldn't itbe fine enough to have ten or twelve thousand left to us? I'd be sureof going to college. "

"The University ought to be good enough for city boys, " said UncleWarren. 

They played authors for a while "because they could talk" Willis said. Then Aunt Warren played for them to dance. At first Marillahesitated. 

"Oh, it's only three-step" exclaimed Edith. "I'll show you, and if youdanced at the King's ball----"

She found she could dance easy enough. It was quite delightful. Hereyes were bright, her cheeks like roses. 

Then they tried several other pretty dances, and spiced them with muchlaughter. Oh, how gay they were. 

"Who was it said something about the King's ball?" asked Willis. "Wasit a make believe?"

"Oh it is the prettiest thing!" replied Edith. 

"You see, Cousin Marilla sat alone in the kitchen one night when themaid had gone out and a fairy godmother came and asked her if shedidn't want to go to the ball. Finding her in the kitchen you see shetook her for Cinderella, and she touched her with her wand--nowMarilla, go on, I couldn't tell it half as delightfully as you do; youmake it so real. "

Manila's face had been scarlet at first, for she was almost ashamed ofbeing a little bound-out girl before these newcomers, but Edith hadstarted it so beautifully that she smiled at her audience. 

"Let's sit on the floor, " said Willis. "That's the way they do inPersia, and Aunt Grace never finds fault with us. "

They gathered around the little girl. Even Uncle Warren laid down hispaper and joined the circle. And what an attentive audience!

"Well that's just fine!" ejaculated Willis. "I've never seen just sucha Cinderella, and there wasn't any glass slipper?"

"Don't interrupt, " said his sister. 

It was all so vivid and Marilla made such pretty gestures with herhands and swayed her head to and fro, that they could fairly see thepalace, and the banquet was superb with its lights and flowers andbeautiful adornments. 

"And couldn't they dance but just one evening with the Prince? Thatwas rather tough. "

"But there was so many knights and the Cinderellas seemed just ashappy. No one was cross. "

"Well, that was wonderful! Oh, didn't you hate to wake up?"

"I don't believe I did really wake up, and every night for awhile Iseemed dreaming it over, and I can shut my eyes and see it so plainly. When things didn't go quite right it was such a pleasure. "

"Oh, you're a darling!" cried Isabel. "I just wish the kindergartenchildren could hear it told that way. If you were a grown-up girlthey'd pay you for telling stories. "

"Aunt Grace can't you bring her around and let mother hear that?"asked Willis. "My mother is so fat she hates to go out anywhere, " toMarilla. "She thinks it disgraceful! But she's a sweet mother for allthat; and now we must go home. Thank you a hundred times for thestory. When I have my party I shall send for you and dance with youevery other time. You ought to be named Cinderella. "

She looked so bright and happy and promised to visit them if Dr. Richards did not take her home too soon. 

But the Hippodrome was beyond any dream. Sometimes she held her breathwith delight until she was fairly tired. Dr. Richards watched thesweet, changeful face. Yes, she should be all his--why he had neverdreamed of anything half as sweet as the joy of a father. 

Sunday afternoon he and Mr. Lorimer came in. The girls had gone toSunday School. He laid his plan before the Warrens who were a gooddeal surprised. 

"As a man grows older he begins to think of a home and the joysnothing else offers, and a doctor really needs the comfort, thesatisfaction nothing else can give. I've never had a home though I'vedreamed of one, but there must be another person in it. I'm not of thehermit sort. I want some one to be merry with me and to comfort mewhen the skies are dark and lowering. "

"Oh, Dr. Richards, you should marry, " exclaimed Mrs. Warren, impetuously. 

"I've been so engrossed--and this sort of vision has come to my verydoor as it were, and I have let it in. For a few years Marilla willneed watchful care from some one who can understand the weak points. Ishould get a nice, motherly woman who would be sweet and tender toher, companionable as well. For you see she must go to some one for ahome. "

"And we would gladly take her in here, " said Mrs. Warren. "She hasreally won our hearts. "

He would do Miss Armitage full justice, at least he thought it sothen. He related her kindness, her generosity, but she had been tenderand sympathetic to many another child he remembered, yet he could notquite still the one cry he had heard from her. 

"Thank you most sincerely, " he returned. "I am glad she has found somerelatives who have taken her in in this cordial manner. I want her toremain warm friends with you all. Of course until I was settled to myliking her home would be with Miss Armitage and she could comewhenever you would like to have her. A young girl needs friends of herown kind, whose interests and hopes are similar. "

They discussed the matter from more than one point of view. At firstLorimer had tried to banter him out of the plan, insisting that theguardianship would be sufficient. There was something in his earnestdesire that touched the heart of the man of wide experience. Hewondered why he could not be as persistent to win the lady! Perhapsshe would follow the child. 

She came in radiant and full of joy. It was such a splendid SundaySchool. She could enjoy it thoroughly with no bothering Jack to thinkabout. 

Lorimer made his adieu but the doctor remained. They sang in theevening. She caught any tune so readily, and a little bird of joy kepttime in her heart. She had only to glance up in the doctor's eyes toknow there was a kindred delight in his. 

She spent most of the next morning writing to fairy godmother. Therewas so much to say, for everything was so new, so different from herlife hitherto. Oh, she was so glad she did not have to go back tothat! No one had been really unkind or severe with her and she couldrecall some tenderness at the last on Aunt Hetty's part, but the deathalways made her shudder. 

These days of affliction had been so sweet, so engrossing. She had notdared to love Miss Armitage in this fashion in the beginning. Sheloved her deeply, truly, now, and her heart smote her in spite of thethrill of joy when she thought of Dr. Richard's love, of belonging tohim. Would she leave her for the new love? She had not the courage tomention it, but there were so many other things to say. 

Every day brought something new. They went to the wonderful museum. She could not take in half, but Dr. Richards said no one could. Youcame time and again, all your life, and always found something new. And there were the Historical Society rooms with their marvellouscollection of birds that enchanted her. 

They spent a delightful evening at the Firths, though she decided sheliked Uncle Warren the better. The Firth house was very handsomelyappointed, but it did not have so much the air of home where youcould sit on the arm of the chair and say all manner of childishthings. 

Mrs. Firth was very stout, but she had a really pretty face and avoice that won you with a certain caressing mellowness. Both cheekshad a deep dimple and a crease went from one to the other that seemedto define the first chin. She sat in a high backed chair and Marillathought she looked like a princess, and her gown made the child thinkof the beautiful dresses in the fairy place. 

But on Friday Dr. Richards said they _must_ go back to Newton. Theywould come again however, there was still a little business to settle. It was a sad parting, and when Marilla took her seat in the train sheturned her face to the window and surreptitiously wiped away thetears, though she longed to see fairy godmother. 

The hack whirled them to Loraine place. The great trees stood likesentinels stretching out their bare limbs. The beautiful autumn, hadgone, you noted it more here. Up the stoop--how her heart beat, andyet somehow she seemed as if she had lived another lifetime. 

"Oh dear, dear Marilla, " cried Jane with the warmest embrace. "We havemissed you so much, and are so glad to get you back. Why it hasn'tseemed the same house, and everybody has wanted you. Dr. Richards, that Mrs. McCormick died this morning and Miss Armitage was thereuntil noon. Five little children left, think of it, she came home andwent straight to bed, but she's had a cup of tea and will be down in afew minutes. "

They entered the parlor. Marilla took off her hat and coat, it was sowarm indoors. She had on a new frock, a curious blue that was verybecoming. Her cheeks were a lovely pink, her eyes full of expectancy. 

Miss Armitage came down the back stairway and through the library. Marilla gave one cry and was in her arms. 

No one had won her away, then. During these days she had had manythoughts about the child's future. She had felt jealous of the newfound relatives and their love, of Dr. Richards' devotion, of thehappy times when she had been counted out. Work had failed to inspire, evenings had been lonely, dreary. Oh, she would never let her go awayagain unless she went with her. She would beseech the law to make thechild hers--

"Oh, fairy godmother!" The charming, joyous tone that showed thechild's certainty of a warm welcome. "It has all been so lovely, but Iwanted you so. I wanted you to see the girls and their father who isthe loveliest, no not _quite_ the loveliest, " and her eyes shone witha tender radiance, the flush made her beautiful. "For, fairygodmother, I have a father now who will love me and care for me, and Iam filled to the brim with happiness--it is better than the fortune. Icould hardly wait to tell you. Oh, please be glad for my sake. "

"A father?" she repeated, in a breathless tremulous sort of way. 

"Yes, " said Dr. Richards, and there was a strange sort of assurance inhis tone. He seemed to have changed mysteriously--there is a vigor, apower and withal a sweet satisfaction in his face that gives her apang she does not understand. 

"Yes, " he repeated. "The fortune is all right. I have been made herguardian, but that did not satisfy me. I have taken out papers ofadoption, she is my child, my little little daughter and she has anew, legal, lawful name--Marilla Cinderella Richards. "

"Oh, oh!" The pathetic cry unnerved him. 

"Dear fairy godmother it can't make any difference in my love for you. I loved you first, you know. I shall always love you, but I want us tolive together and be as happy as they are at the Warrens, and I lovehim, my new father, so much. When you have something of your very ownit fills you everywhere like beautiful music. I've been learning howsweet and dear it can be. Oh, fairy godmother, I want you both. Itwould break my heart to lose either of you. Oh, fairy godmother, can'tyou love him; can't you, won't you marry him and let us all livetogether?"

There was a penetrating sweetness in the pleading, but she saw the redof surprise mount to the very edge of the man's hair, and almost afrown settle between the eyes. Her face dropped to the silken softhead and she felt the child's heart beat tumultuously. To make the twowho loved her happy--to have them for her own----

She reached out her hand--it was her right hand. He caught it andpressed it to his lips with a fervor that thrilled every pulse of herbeing. 

It was not the tie of kindred blood, but that divine immortal kindredof love, and as he clasped his arms about them both they were Father, Mother and Child. 

And so, Marilla had not only the Fairy Godmother, but the Prince aswell.