room, but so far the
scouts had not been allowed to come. When at last they were given
permission to visit the invalid, they could not get to the rectory fast
enough. They were surprised to see Rod so thin and white, and when
they left after their brief visit, they hurried back to Headquarters
for another long talk.

Rod was never so happy as when Anna Royanna was with him. Many were
the stories she told, and she would often read to him. She seemed to
be in no hurry about going away, and this pleased the boy, as he wanted
her to stay until after Christmas. They were to have a big time on
Christmas Day, so he told her. Captain Josh and the scouts were coming
for dinner, and perhaps Whyn would be home.

One day Rod noticed that Mr. and Mrs. Royal seemed happier than usual
when they came into his room. Though no parents could have been kinder
than they ever were to him, yet now there appeared a marked difference.
He could not explain what it was, but at times he found them both
watching him with a new expression in their eyes. He even caught Mrs.
Royal brushing away a tear, which surprised him.

"What makes you cry, grandma?" he asked.

"Oh, several things, dear," was the reply. "People sometimes cry when
they are very happy, you know."

"I understand, grandma. You are happy because I am getting well."

That evening after Rod was snugly tucked in bed, Miss Royanna came and
sat down by his side. She had a book in her hand and she was going to
read to him as was her custom now.

"Tell me a story, please," Rod begged. "I like that better, and your
stories are so interesting."

"What kind do you want to-night?" the woman asked, as she looked into
the bright eyes before her.

"Oh, anything. You always know best."

For awhile Anna Royanna remained silent, to all outward appearance very
calm. But she was greatly agitated. She knew that the moment had
arrived of which she had dreamed for years. Would it make any change
in him? she wondered. Would he feel the same toward her?

"What are you thinking about?" Rod questioned.

"About what I am going to tell you," and the woman gave a slight laugh.
"It's the most wonderful story you ever heard."

"Better than a fairy tale?"

"You can judge that for yourself when you hear it."

"All right, then. Go ahead."

"The beginning of this story goes back quite a number of years," the
woman began. "There was a young man who went away from home, and left
hi