removed his glasses and gave them another vigorous polishing.

Micah cleared his throat, and starting at the very beginning, told him all that Jack had said that evening on the piazza at Stonyhurst. The Grand Master let him come to the end of the narrative without interruption; then he put him literally in the witness box and cross-examined him on all points involved.

"Did Garland tell you Mr. Lawton's given name? Did he say what city they resided in? And from what place she came to New York?" he asked in conclusion.

"No, not that I recall," Micah replied, breathing freer now the worst was over and Richard his normal self again. It was evident that the Grand Master had taken the passing of Bettina Germaine very much to heart. The lawyer did not question further. His face cleared, the mist had gone from his gray eyes, and rising, he took a turn about the room bringing up at Micah's side with this remark:

"Look here, old chum, I want you to do something for me and do it right away, now, this very moment! You are the only one I can trust, and you know I am tied here for the present. Will you do it?"

Micah was on his feet in an instant. Looking the Grand Master squarely in the eyes he said: "Try me and see. I never failed you yet."

"So be it," declared Richard Denman, as he seated himself at his desk. Opening his check book he rapidly filled out one to Micah's order, and handed it to him.

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"Take the one o'clock from the Junction and make New York to-morrow morning. Go to this number," pushing the letter toward him, and see Mrs. Lawton. Tell her you have come at my request; that I received her letter and understand her feelings, but she is taking a wrong view of the whole situation. She must let us know where she is to be. Impress it upon her, Micah, that her present attitude is not just to herself or to Miriam. Why, man alive, what can she be thinking of? Suppose, suppose something should happen to Miriam-" again the iron hand held his throat; a sudden catch in his voice stopped him for a second. Micah reached for his hat. Hurrying on, the Grand Master said:

"You know how to plead our Baby's cause, Micah. I feel that we have been a lot of traitors. in our thought toward this unselfish mother. Tell her how we all have been blessed by this precious little treasure that came into our lives through her willingness to sacrifice herself. If you can't persuade Mrs. Lawton to come here and see Miriam before she goes West, tell her she must write to us. Impress that particularly upon her, Micah. Now go, dear old fellow, and God be with you!" "He always is, Grand Master, and I am ever

at your service." The Marshal saluted his superior officer and hastily left the building.

Immediately at the close of the evening meal, Lorenzo Jackson with the infant phenomena beside him, brought the low phaeton around to the porte-cochère. The Grand Master and his mother were going for a drive along the shore road. The day had been humid, a regular dog-day, and Madam had felt the oppressive heat; a drive in the cool of the evening would refresh her.

Miriam's face brightened as she saw Sapphire. The little girl jumped out of the carriage and stood by the vine-covered pillar, twisting one thin leg around the other, all the time grinning sheepishly at Miriam. Lorenzo was standing at the horse's head.

"Sapphire, come up and play awhile with Miriam," said Mrs. Denman, kindly regarding the little dark face. "You may stay until Melissa is ready to put Miriam to bed. You would like Sapphire to stay, wouldn't you, dear?"

Miriam beckoned to Sapphire. The little thin legs scrambled nimbly up the steps. Madam kissed Miriam, and descended to the carriage. When the Grand Master stooped to say good night Miriam whispered:

"I'll be 'sleep when you come back, Witchard. Are you and Sweetheart going for Bettymuz?' the color coming and going in her soft cheeks.

The Grand Master looked into the trustful blue eyes, so like another pair that had been haunting him all day long. He kissed her gently as he said, "Not to-night, Baby mine."

"But some night you will?" urged the child, her expression full of simple trust and love.

"Yes, darling, please God," he murmured, patting the golden head. Bonnie followed him to the carriage; Richard motioned him back. The dog instantly obeyed, returning to the piazza beside the children.

"Good night, Sweetheart! Good night, Witchard!" called out the little girl as the horse started on a trot down the avenue between the sweeping elms.

"Good night, Miriam. Good night, Baby mine," they called back.

CHAPTER II

A MOTHER'S COUNSEL

HE end of the peninsula was reached before

TH

the Grand Master touched upon the events of the morning. His mother opened the way by saying that she saw Micah with Theo go past just about noon time, driving the automobile at full speed. It must have been after two before she heard the machine on its return and then Theo was alone.

"I wondered that she did not call me up, or come over this afternoon if Micah had gone away. He never has left town without coming to say good-by to me"; and Richard noticed in the deepening shadows, that she looked disappointed and a trifle grieved. The Hayden children had seemed almost like her own, growing up side by side, so to speak, with her boy, and the love she felt for the orphans had always been very tender. She did not like to think that Micah could forget.

Richard drew in the reins, bringing the horse to a standstill; they were far beyond any dwellings, only the beach between them and the great stretch of deep blue sea. The breeze was invigor