his eyes caught the situation of the
chess men.

"Some one made a false move," he exclaimed, laughing.

"Is the white queen in danger? I can't have her taken," Marilla said
breathlessly.

"Oh, are you on her side? If I had time I'd rescue her. I suppose my
friend here, the doctor, has explained my errand--the rest is--you
are the little white queen and I am an ogre come to capture you and
take you away."

"But I'm not going," returned the child. "When one has a fairy
godmother one is enchanted and the evil ogre is powerless."

"Oh, is it that way? Then I must sue humbly to the power above and
present my case, for indeed, if you didn't want your fortune you would
stop the wheels of division and perhaps be accused of contempt of
court--which you don't know a word about. You are quite a little
heroine with your romantic story, and I am charged to bring you into
court and prove you are Marilla Bond, entitled to a slice of this pie
they are going to serve."

"Are there four and twenty black birds in it?" she asked mirthfully.

"Oh, more than that, but there is no flaw in your claim, and I have
unearthed a delightful relative for you, a cousin of your mother's
with whom much of her early life was passed. After her marriage they
seemed to fall apart as people often do, and she heard you were all
dead. She has three charming girls, fourteen, eleven and seven. Mrs.
Warren made me promise to bring you direct to her; she is very
anxious to see you and will take good care of you."

Miss Armitage had a stunned sort of feeling. There were relatives who
might have a right to her. She was no longer a waif for some one's
charity.

"You will bring her back?" she said hurriedly.

"Oh, of course. They are not likely to make her a ward in chancery as
if she had a million. Dr. Richards will be her guardian, you will like
that, won't you?" smiling at her bright-eyed watchfulness.

"I don't quite know what a guardian is," doubtfully, glancing at her
oldest friend, "Mr. Borden never spoke of one."

"That estate has not been settled yet," remarked the doctor. "A
trustee might answer for that."

"A guardian is a person appointed to see that you have a good home,
and do not waste your money, but I have heard of guardians who wasted
it for you. We shall have the doctor bound securely, and you must have
an allowance for clothes and various needs, such as ice cream and
candy."

Marilla laughed then. It seemed amusing and very deli