ound so suddenly that she started.

"Don't be frightened," he said. "Is Dr. Richards a relative? Do you
live with him?"

"No, but he had been so good to her when Miss Armitage had taken her
in so she need not go to the hospital. She had been bound-out but the
family could not take care of her. Some one had just died."

"Would she like Dr. Richards for her guardian? Had any one told her
she must have him?"

"Oh, I want him, I love him," and the flood of eager joy in her sweet
face answered him as truly as the words.

He was curiously interested and drew her out a little further, charmed
with her simplicity.

Then Doctor Richards had to sign the bond and they were dismissed.
Mrs. Warren would take her home, and her guardian would come in the
afternoon and take dinner with them and meet Mr. Warren.

There were two trolley rides, then a walk from the corner. The house
was in a brick row up on the East side with a little park opposite,
and the river only a block away.

The basement windows had tall iron bars that suggested a prison to the
child. They ascended the high stoop and the hall door was flung open
while a chorus of eager voices cried--

"Oh, is this the new cousin?"

"Yes, Marilla Bond. This is Edith, this is May and this is our baby
Jessie--"

"We were afraid you wouldn't get here in time. We had begun our
lunch--"

"Run back dears, we will be down in a minute."

They kissed Marilla with sweet heartiness that won her at once. Mrs.
Warren took off her wrap and hat and they went down. How strange it
was to have these girls smiling and expressing delight.

"You're going to keep her, mother?" declared Edith.

"Oh yes, as long as her guardian will let her stay. You will find her
here when you come back."

"And wasn't it funny to have a fortune drop down on you? Mother could
hardly believe it at first, and then we were so glad to find you."

Marilla glanced up with a smile, but she wanted to cry for very joy.

Then they kissed her again and ran off to school.

"Were there any children where you lived?"

"Not at Miss Armitage's. That was where I was ill. She took me in, but
I had to go back to Mrs. Borden's when I was strong enough. And then
an old lady died and I fainted again and the doctor said it was
something with the heart, and they had to take a bigger girl. Then I
went to Miss Armitage again. She is so dear and sweet. I want to stay
there always."

"You poor child! You see we were in We