st-class place as a parlor maid where
she can have eighteen dollars a month, which I couldn't afford to pay.
There is a cook and a laundress kept, so she won't lose by coming
down. She is very nice, pleasant and tidy, and we had to have some one
in the emergency. And poor little Marilla must have gone to a hospital
but for your kindness. We are all so obliged and if Mr. Borden can be
of service to you, sometime, he will be very glad. These are the
favors money cannot repay.

"So if you will have Marilla ready about two o'clock on Saturday, Mr.
Borden will call for her. If she needs a dress will you kindly
purchase it and tell him. We have all her clothes down here. There is
a beautiful big lawn with hammocks and everything, and if she is not
very strong yet she can have sea bathing which is splendid, and fine
diet. And we certainly are your deeply grateful friends.

"Mrs. Mary Borden."

Miss Armitage read the letter over twice and watched the pale little
girl enjoying the pictures. It was not quite a heartless letter but,
it had no special sympathy for the poor little Cinderella, if she did
not have to sit in the ashes. Then she laid it by and went at the
others.

"Please Miss Armitage, may I go upstairs? I am so tired. What do you
suppose makes me feel tired so easily?"

"You are not strong yet. Yes, we will go upstairs and you must lie
down."

She placed her arm around the slender body. Marilla kissed the white
hand.

The doctor came in the next morning, and Miss Armitage handed him the
letter.

"Has the average woman any soul!" he exclaimed angrily.

"Mrs. Borden has had no means of knowing how severe the case really
was----"

"See here, she might have written on--say Tuesday and inquired. Why
Marilla might have died with just a little more. She doesn't go. She
won't be strong enough to bother with teething babies in some time
yet, if at all."

"Oh, you don't think----"

"She has a weak heart. It may have come from the shock and there is
time enough for her to outgrow it, with care. Are you going to tire of
her?"

She saw there was no doubt in his face and smiled.

"Marilla's no more trouble than a kitten. Jane is positively in love
with her. I'm not sure but I shall ask to have her transferred to
me."

"Hilda Armitage you ought to be the mother of girls. I don't know
about the boys," with a doubtful laugh.

"I've had two disappointments."