coming to want.

"'Will that sum be satisfactory?' asked the stranger.

"'It is very liberal,' I answered.

"'I intended it to be so,' he said. 'Since there is no difficulty on
this score, I am inclined to trust you with the care of the child. But I
must make two conditions.'

"'What are they, sir?'

"'In the first place, you must not try to find out the friends of the
child. They do not desire to be known. Another thing, you must move from
Brooklyn.'

"'Move from Brooklyn?' I repeated.

"'Yes,' he answered, firmly. 'I do not think it necessary to give you a
reason for this condition. Enough that it is imperative. If you decline,
our negotiations are at an end.'

"I looked at my husband. He seemed as much surprised as I was.

"'Perhaps you will wish to consult together,' suggested our visitor.
'If so, I can give you twenty minutes. I will remain in this room while
you go out and talk it over.'

"We acted on this hint, and went into the kitchen. We decided that
though we should prefer to live in Brooklyn, it would be worth our while
to make the sacrifice for the sake of the addition to our income. We
came in at the end of ten minutes, and announced our decision. Our
visitor seemed to be very much pleased.

"'Where would you wish us to move?' asked your father.

"'I do not care to designate any particular place. I should prefer some
small country town, from fifty to a hundred miles distant. I suppose you
will be able to move soon?'

"'Yes, sir; we will make it a point to do so. How soon will the child
be placed in our hands? Shall we send for it?'

"'No, no,' he said, hastily. 'I cannot tell you exactly when, but it
will be brought here probably in the course of a day or two. I myself
shall bring it, and if at that time you wish to say anything additional
you can do so.'

"He went away, leaving us surprised and somewhat excited at the change
that was to take place in our lives. The next evening the sound of
wheels was heard, and a hack stopped at our gate. The same gentleman
descended hurriedly with a child in his arms--you were the child,
Frank--and entered the house.

"'This is the child,' he said, placing it in my arms, 'and here is the
first quarterly installment of your pay. Three months hence you will
receive the same sum from my agent in New York. Here is his address,'
and he placed a card in my hands. 'Have you anything to ask?'

"'Suppose I wish to communicate with you respecting the child?