ing with the agent, who hurried in after them and unlocked the ticket office.

"Joe," said the taller man, addressing the agent, "I'm going to leave my coat and suit case here, if convenient?" He laid the garment over the chair and deposited the case beside it.

"Sure, Brother Denman, pleased to have you. They'll be perfectly safe. There ain't a soul here as I can see, except yourselves for the up train. She'll be a few minutes late to-night, I hear."

They moved toward the outer door. The Grand Master turned to address his companion. Bettina could see him distinctly. A fine, high-bred face, clean shaven, and a figure slender yet athletic in build. He was consulting his watch.

"We'll have ample time to go to the drug store, won't we, Joe?" he said. "I want to get some stamps for letters to send off by the express."

"You'll have ten minutes, sure," replied the agent, and the three passed out, closing the door.

Mrs. Lawton's brow cleared. So that was the Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Maine. What a musical voice he had, a barytone, she thought. His entire personality was intrinsically that of a man born and bred to the best things of life. She was trembling with excitement. The way had opened as clear as noonday, so it appeared to her rapidly clearing mentality. If what she had in her mind was the thing to do, it must be done quickly. In an instant she had a

pencil and pad of paper from her case and was rapidly writing a note. With shaking hands she pinned it to the little white coat. Then lifting the child carefully, she bore her swiftly to the ticket office, pushed open the door, and placed the little one in the warm folds of the Grand Master's coat. At that very instant the express came thundering in. A light kiss on the dimpled cheek, a murmured blessing, "Love be kind to her," and snatching up her suit case she fairly flew out of the waiting room and onto the platform just as the conductor was swinging his lantern and calling, "All aboard!"

She was so shaken with agitation, she had hardly strength enough to lift her suit case to the step of the car. The conductor, an elderly man with grown-up girls at home, divining her condition, laid his hand on her arm steadying her as she climbed the steps.

"Better not reckon so close another time," he said, not unkindly, as taking her luggage he deposited it on a seat midway of the car. Thanking him, she sank down and shut her eyes only to open them wide as she recalled her section in the Pullman, the car ahead. Rousing herself she made her way into the sleeper. The porter, with observation keen for beauty as well as for tips, graciously relieved her of her luggage.

"Yes, lady," he replied. "Your section is No. 8, lower berth, Miss Germaine? Yes, Miss, I'll

make it up right away." Absently she paid the fare, then glanced about her. The train was a heavy one. A large party of tourists back from a hunting trip to the Aroostook came in from the smoker, and began preparations for retiring, laughing and joking with each other and the porter. Waving his hand toward her section, the porter signified its readiness to receive her.

How good it seemed to be alone at last! She snuggled down under the warm coverings and vainly tried to compose herself. Usually she could sleep on the train no matter how much noise there might be about her, but to-night her nerves were so overwrought by the exciting events of the day that every burst of hilarity made her start. It was an audacious thing she had just done. She believed that her impulse was right, but would her precious baby be safe? The face of the Grand Master, with its grave but sweet expression, came before her and the recollection of it gave her some degree of comfort. Ah, but she was so homesick for the little form she had been holding in her arms! Her baby among strangers! Strangers! The words pounded themselves in upon her brain. Yet, her almost childlike faith in the power of Divine Love "to temper the wind to the shorn lamb" brought to her a sense of peace. It had been her strong belief that the God she looked to daily for guidance would direct her in all her ways,

and in spite of her fears she felt she had made no mistake in placing her treasure in the Grand Master's care. Little by little she grew calmer, the tense strain lifted, and like a tired child she relaxed and slept.

CHAPTER II

TH

THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE

HE station agent, whistling merrily, busied himself with the packages and bundles left by the express, until the voice of the Grand Marshal recalled the fact that the train was even later than he had expected.

66

Usually right on time, eh, Joe?" said Micah Hayden, as he lit another cigar and watched the smoke float out on the clear frosty air; then realizing that he had forgotten something he drew some cigars from his inner pocket and passed them to the agent.

"Much obliged, Brother Hayden, I never smoke on the job, but it will be a treat, I can tell you, when I get home." He had noticed the brand, the choicest the drug store afforded, and could truly say the cigars would be a treat.

"Doesn't he smoke?" he asked, nodding in the direction of the Grand Master, who was standing somewhat apart, hands deep in his pockets, face turned skyward, studying the aurora borealis, which was unusually bright.

The Grand Marshal smiled. He never wearied