the brief sleep which followed a long, sad vigil. It seemed
as if the whole world must be changed because a trouble darkened it for
her. She was too young yet to know how possible it is to forgive much
greater sins than this, forget far heavier disappointments, outlive
higher hopes, and bury loves compared to which hers was but a girlish
fancy. She wished it had not been so bright a day, wondered how her
birds could sing with such shrill gaiety, put no ribbon in her hair,
and said, as she looked at the reflection of her own tired face in
the glass, "Poor thing! You thought the new leaf would have something
pleasant on it. The story has been very sweet and easy to read so far,
but the sad and sober part is coming now."

A tap at the door reminded her that, in spite of her afflictions,
breakfast must be eaten, and the sudden thought that Charlie might still
be in the house made her hurry to the door, to find Dr. Alec waiting for
her with his morning smile. She drew him in and whispered anxiously, as
if someone lay dangerously ill nearby, "Is he better, Uncle? Tell me all
about it I can bear it now."

Some men would have smiled at her innocent distress and told her this
was only what was to be expected and endured, but Dr. Alec believed in
the pure instincts that make youth beautiful, desired to keep them true,
and hoped his girl would never learn to look unmoved by pain and pity
upon any human being vanquished by a vice, no matter how trivial it
seemed, how venial it was held. So his face grew grave, though his voice
was cheerful as he answered: "All right, I daresay, by this time, for
sleep is the best medicine in such cases. I took him home last night,
and no one knows he came but you and I."

"No one ever shall. How did you do it, Uncle?"

"Just slipped out of the long study window and got him cannily off, for
the air and motion, after a dash of cold water, brought him around, and
he was glad to be safely landed at home. His rooms are below, you know,
so no one was disturbed, and I left him sleeping nicely."

"Thank you so much," sighed Rose. "And Brutus? Weren't they frightened
when he got back alone?"

"Not at all. The sagacious beast went quietly to the stable, and the
sleepy groom asked no questions, for Charlie often sends the horse round
by himself when it is late or stormy. Rest easy, dear no eye but ours
saw the poor lad come and go, and we'll forgive it for love's sake."

"Yes, but not forget it. I neve