at the little figure now settling herself again to the enjoyment of her bread and milk.

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Dickie, stop dreaming and pass me the sugar," said Theo. "You're getting more absentminded than Micah, and he passed the limit ages ago."

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Why, I'm not absent-minded," contradicted her brother. "I'm in love, I openly declare it. It's either love or your liver, Dick. Sure sign," and he winked openly at his friend.

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Oh, you have a nose for news,' as the saying goes, and it's pretty well developed," laughed Richard. "But you needn't try to get any scare lines out of me. Just tackle Uncle Poly, he ought to have some news for you."

"Right you are, Richard, I must certainly visit the Arms and see whom I can interview. Now," and his eyes gleamed with fun as he looked toward Miriam, who was watching him intently, she and Micah being great chums. "Now, I say, if I could only find out who this old chestnut of a Bettymuz is it might be worth going after. What do you think, Miriam?"

At the mention of the name "Bettymuz," a startled expression spread over the child's face. She looked at each in turn, then rested her eyes on Micah while she neatly folded her napkin and bib. Leaning forward she said in a shaky voice:

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Bettymuz is not old, Micah Hay, and she's not a ches'nut to woast and eat. Bettymuz is dear,

Bettymuz is pwetty, I love my musser Betty. Oh-" and the little tones were filled with tears"I'm going to find my Bettymuz!

With one of those lightning movements natural to her, she slipped from her chair, and before anyone realized what she was going to do, was flying over the lawn.

Bonnie, roused from his nap by the sound of his playmate's voice, which rose higher and higher toward the end, went after her in hot pursuit. Micah, instantly sobered and with a wealth of love in his eyes, started from his chair. Madam Denman laid a restraining hand on his arm.

"Sit still, please, Micah. Theo, don't go after her, she'll not run far. She is very sleepy, and these outbursts are like April showers, soon over." Micah drummed on the table, while Theo looked at Dick, her forehead all wrinkled up in perplexity.

"I can see my stock going down, down, down," said Micah in an aggrieved tone. "I'll have to take Polly's lesson to heart and not talk so much. And yet," he said, as he and the Grand Master walked home with Uncle Poly after the storm had cleared and Baby was tucked away for the night, we know now who Bettymuz is. Betty is what the 'B' stands for, and as we know the 'L' is for Lawton, it is safe to say that Betty Lawton is Miriam's mother."

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The tiny figure, like a rosy cloudlet, was nearing the beach when Richard rose quietly and moved away from the table.

"Excuse me," he said, "but I'm going after her," and his tone brooked no interference. It was not long before they saw him catch the child up in his arms, the dog yelping and leaping beside them. With a tired sigh of relief she snuggled closely to him. He thought as he looked at the flushed cheeks, the golden curls clustering about the damp forehead, the dark eyes heavy with sleep, that there never was such a precious charge as this little one that Fate had given him. His heart sank as the thought of possible separation came to him. No, it must not be. Love, not Fate, had sent her to him, and Love never separates, its mission is to unite. Only good could come to her. Time would solve all these mysteries and doubts and for the present she would dwell secure in his heart and know only peace and happiness.

CHAPTER VIII

BETTINA IS INTERVIEWED BY CORNELIA

ETTINA LAWTON, or Miss B. Germaine, according to the register of the Norwood Arms, sat on the balcony outside her window watching through a field glass the movements of a steam yacht which appeared to be heading for the old wharf in the rear of the post office. Mine Host who had just brought her a bunch of freshly gathered roses had seen the yacht as it rounded the point and apprised her of its approach. "It is the largest steam yacht," he said, "that has been seen on the river this season."

"The craft is painted gray and has a broad band of pink around the hull," observed Bettina. "I can't make out her name, see if you can, Mr. Carter," and she passed him the glasses.

Napoleon B. C. seated himself on the balcony railing and looked long and earnestly at the yacht. "She is flying a pennant of white with dark lettering, and, ah! I recognize a club pennant also. No, I cannot make the words out. I guess I'll take a run down to the wharf and see what her name is

and where she is from. Won't you accompany me?" bowing with old-time courtesy.

Bettina thanked him but declined; it was asking too much of her to leave this delightful balcony. He could tell her all about it on his return.

She took up the glasses as he left and turned them in the direction of Ledgelawn. Truly Philip chose wisely, this little balcony commanded a view of the entire village. She could see very plainly a portion of the Denman grounds, and naturally it was the first spot her eyes sought in the morning and the last at night in the hope of seeing her little girl. Just now Miriam ran across the lawn closely followed by the golden collie. How she longed to fly to her and gather her baby to her heart!

It was more than five weeks since her arrival in Norwood. She had come directly through from Boston on the day Pullman, arriving at her destination in the early evening. In response to her query as to where she could find a pleasant boarding place, the conductor had put her in charge of a tall, round-shouldered, red-haired youth who appeared on the station platform just as the train pulled in.

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Hiram, here, will take you to the best hotel, barring none, this side of Portland. The Norwood Arms is all right, isn't it, Hiram?

The warm-haired youth winked his eye and ejaculated as he shoved both hands deep down in