petent to conduct the entire business of the Rebekah Lodge. We have some women of unusual attainments and sterling worth in our Order, grand, unselfish, loving characters."

"That's right, Mother; I'd put our local Rebekahs against any in the state or out of it, for that matter, for conscientious work under all circumstances. I feel that the spirit is first in their hearts, and Where thy treasure is, there shall thy heart be also.' Think of their devotion in the present case, at Brother Powers'. That house has been cleaned from cellar to attic, some one has been there constantly to oversee the work of the household and to care for the children in order that Clara could spend all her time with Joe. Poor Clara!" and a shadow swept over his face as he thought what the impending separation would mean to her and her children. She and her husband had been sweethearts from childhood, and their married life had been a very happy one.

His thoughts reverted to Theo Hayden, Clara Powers' near friend and sister Rebekah. What a radiant, happy, and strong personality she possessed! He could depend upon her fidelity to duty at all times. He had never cared for any other girl. As children they had braided the May Pole together on the lawn of the Norwood Arms, and during his college days she had been his companion at the commencement exercises and all the social functions incident to the life.

Theo had had other admirers, but for Richard Denman she had always shown a marked preference. As for him, no matter what pursuit he was engaged in, Theo was ever uppermost in his thoughts, stimulating him to better work and higher ideals, and he felt a regard for her which was sincere and very deep.

CHAPTER VIII

UNCLE POLY DELIVERS DR. JOHNSON'S MESSAGE

TH

HE sharp sound of the knocker on the front door broke the stillness. The clock on the mantel was just chiming the hour of eight when Mr. Carter entered. He divested himself of his fur coat, remarking that it was "a nipping and an eager air." Coming into the library he slipped into his favorite seat near the fire and settled back among the soft cushions with a sigh of satisfaction.

"It is always a privilege to be permitted entrance into a home such as this one is, dear Madam," he observed.

"Home would not seem like home unless our friends could share its joys and comforts with us," returned Madam Denman graciously. "And you are like our very own, Mr. Carter." "Napoleon B. C.," bowed his appreciation, the light kindling in his black eyes. What a fortunate man he was, to be sure!

"Yes, Uncle Poly, mother is just right in her estimate there, as she is about everything else. But to digress, I must confess that I am quite

'curos,' as old Kong used to say, to hear what you have to tell us." Kong was the almond-eyed Celestial who accompanied the judge and his wife when they came from California. He remained in their service over twenty years, a faithful servant, the only one of his kind in Norwood, when he returned to China to end his days among his own people.

"Napoleon B. C." rubbed his small slender hands together and chuckled gleefully. It was so seldom he had any news to tell, Micah claimed the monopoly by right, but now he had something of real interest to communicate, and the thought pleased him. Looking first at one and then at the other of his companions, he squared himself against the cushions, placed his finger tips together, and with an expression of great satisfaction, began his story.

"It came about in this way. I had occasion to drive over to Newbury to-day, Hiram reported a scarcity of hay, and as I had heard of a farmer there who had some to sell I drove to see him. Made a quick trade and a good one. On my way home I stopped in for a little chat with my old college chum, Dr. Johnson. We got to talking about the dedication, and quite naturally he spoke of our Grand Master. He asked me some pointed questions, so I thought, and afterwards apologized and said that he would explain why he had asked them, he had very good reasons. He would tell

me what he had never breathed to any other person for the reason that he very much dislikes getting into the lime light, and in this instance he felt he might be running some risk. Doc was always a diffident chap, but not a coward, no indeed!

"To my way of thinking, what he told me is the most important piece of evidence we have yet heard in regard to our baby's family connections." Here he paused to adjust his eyeglasses and to peruse a memorandum he took from his side pocket. His companions drew nearer; the subject was of such vital interest to them both that not a syllable must be lost.

"It appears," he continued, "that a Miss Martha Graham, a woman well along in years, came to West Newbury about three years ago to live on the farm with her brother John." Madam started. "Not John Graham, the man who used to sell me dahlias?" she interrupted.

"Exactly so," returned Mr. Carter, "the very same grizzly-haired old fellow, tall as a bean pole and about as graceful. Well, Martha was his sister, and like the brother a rather peculiar person, well educated and refined. Sprang from good New England stock, the Grahams of Calais are relations, Doc says. Martha left home when a young girl to go with a family as nursemaid, and continued to live with them all the years after, save for an occasional visit home. When she came home three years ago she brought a little baby, a