the house they went straightway to Aunt Mary's room,
and the first glance through the old lady's eye-glasses told her that her
wishes had all been fulfilled. She sat up in bed, took a hand of each into
her own, and surveyed them in an access of such utter joy as nearly caused
all three to weep together.

"Well, I _am_ so glad," was all she said for the first few seconds, and
nobody doubted her words forever after.

Then Mrs. Rosscott removed her hat and jacket, and when she returned to
the bedside her future aunt made her sit down close to her and hold one of
her hands while Jack held the other.

"I'm _so_ glad you're to have the runnin' of Jack," the old lady declared
sincerely. "All I ask of you is to be patient with him. I always was. That
is, _most_ always."

"Dear Aunt Mary," said Mrs. Rosscott, slipping down on her knees beside
the bed, "you are so good to me that you encourage me to tell you my
secret. It isn't long, and it isn't bad, but I have a confession to make."

"Oh, I say," cried Jack, "if you put it that way let me do the owning up!"

"Hush," said his love authoritatively, "it's my confession. Leave it to
me."

"What is it?" said Aunt Mary, looking anxiously from one to the other;
"you haven't broke your engagement already, I hope."

"No," said Mrs. Rosscott, "it's nothing like that. It's only rather a
surprise. But it's a nice surprise,--at least, I hope you'll think that it
is."

"Well, hurry and tell me then," said the old lady. "I'm a great believer
in bein' told good news as soon as possible. What is it?"

"It's that I'm not a maid," said the pretty widow.

"Not--a--" cried Aunt Mary blankly.

"I'm a widow!" said Janice. "I'm Burnett's sister."

"Wh--a--at!" cried Aunt Mary. "I didn't jus' catch that."

"You see," screamed Jack, "she was afraid to have me entertain you in New
York,--afraid you wouldn't be properly looked after, Aunt Mary, so she
dressed up for your maid and looked after you herself."

"My heavens alive!"

"Wasn't she an angel?" he asked.

"But whatever made you take such an interest?" Aunt Mary demanded of
Janice.

Janice rose from her knees and, leaning over the bed, drew the old lady
close in her arms.

"I'll tell you," she screamed gently. "I loved Jack, and so I loved his
aunt even before I had ever seen her."

Aunt Mary's joy fairly overflowed at that view of things, and, putting her
hands to either side of the lovely face so close to her own, she kisse