mantle over the lawn. The sun was shining brightly as Miriam emerged from the side door. She had been told that Theo had a surprise in store for her.

The child stood on the veranda for a little while watching Bonnie rolling in the snow, then, drawing on her gloves, she ran across the lawn, her yellow curls dancing under the red worsted cap. The long red coat and leggins made her look like some vivid little bird skimming across lots. The two girls were watching from Theo's bedroom window.

"How she has grown!" exclaimed Bettina. "She is no longer a baby, but a truly little girl." She drew quickly back as Miriam, waving her hand, called out:

"I'm coming! Please let me in!”

Theo met her at the door. Miriam walked into the music room with easy familiarity, and pushed the cap back from her forehead, remarking that it was "werry warm."

"I suppose you want to know what the surprise is, Baby Bunting, eh?" asked Theo, as she settled back in the mahogany rocker with every appearance of remaining there indefinitely. The child came close beside her and looked at her with an expression of great interest.

"Yes, Theo, please, what is it?"

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"Well, now, let me see! But first, whom do you love best?"

"Oh, Bettymuz, Sweetheart, Witchard-" she would have kept on through the entire list ending with Bonnie had not Theo interrupted her with. "But who is first?"

"My muzzer," she said without hesitation in tones slightly indignant. "You ought to know that, Theo."

Theo nodded approval.

"How would you like to go to see her?" she asked.

"Go to see Bettymuz?" The eyes opened very wide.

"Yes."

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When, Theo?" The exciting thought made her eyes sparkle.

"Why, now, this very minute. But," she paused an instant desiring to impress the child with the importance of the words that followed, "you will have to go all the way alone."

Miriam started, a cloud of apprehension darkened her face.

"Won't Witchard take me?" she asked wonderingly.

"Richard went to Portland, you know, at seven o'clock."

"He'll come back if you telephone him," nodding her head confidently.

"He knows all about your going and approves. No, you must go all alone." The words came

slowly and emphatically. Miriam's eyes fell but the lids quickly lifted as she cried in a triumphant tone, although the tears were gathering.

"Bonnie will go, he always follows me!"

Fearing a deluge, and feeling a trifle guilty at going so far in testing the depth of her affection, Theo said in a surprised voice:

"Why, you are not afraid, are you?"

The rosy cheeks grew pale. To be accused of fear was the last straw. She threw back her little head, straightened her back, and moving toward the door said in a decided but trembling voice: "I 'spose some one will tell me where to go. Good-by, Theo."

Theo sprang from her chair and caught hold of the little hand just as it was turning the knob of the door. The staunch little craft had weathered a pretty stiff gale, now she should drift into calmer waters.

"I'll tell you just the way to go, Precious, listen. You have to go to my room first-it's a part of the game and as you go upstairs you have to call out, good and loud, 'Bettymuz, I'm coming!' Now, trot!"

Determination speaking in every moment, Miriam obeyed without question.

"Bettymuz, I'm coming!" she cried as she mounted the stairs. The voice grew steadier as she reached the top landing. "Bettymuz, I'm

coming!" Theo heard the pattering of her feet along the upper hall.

"Bettymuz! Oh, Bettymuz!" a cry of joy, the sound of hurrying footsteps, and Miriam was clasped in her mother's arms. Bettina's own had come to her at last.

A

S Madam had expressed the desire to have Miriam stay awhile with her each evening after the bedtime preparations, it had become a regular habit for the child to remain with her until Bettina retired for the night. The little girl thought it great fun to snuggle down beside Sweetheart in the great mahogany bed. Wonderful stories were told, and great confidences were exchanged in the moments before sleep came to the child. Bonnie, too, was always there and would often go sound asleep with his head resting upon the foot of the bed, much to Miriam's amusement. To-night as she climbed over to the vacant side, she remarked:

"The pirinage is over, and the childwen are all safe in the Pwomised Land."

"So your responsibilities are at an end, I suppose?" asked Madam.

"Yes, and I'm so welieved!" she said with a funny little sigh as she clasped her hands outside the coverlet.