e a new hair ribbon and sash to
wear."

"Did you enjoy those better than the music?" twinkled the
doctor.

"Oh, no!" The tone was almost reproachful. "One piece the boy
played was lovely. I hated to have him stop. I wish I could play
as well as he--no, I don't either! I don't want to!" she
burst out fiercely.

Dr. Dudley glanced at her quizzically. "You seem to be a young
lady of changeable opinions," he smiled.

Her lip quivered; but she struggled hard against tears.

"Suppose you tell me all about it, Thistledown," the Doctor said
gently.

"Oh, don't let me go and be her little girl!" she broke out.
"Don't! don't! I'll do anything, if you'll only let me stay
with you!"

He drew her down into his lap, and soothed her with tender words.

"Nobody shall ever take you from me against your will, Thistledown!"
His voice was tensely unnatural. "Does Mrs. Jocelyn wish to adopt
you? Did she say so?"

"I don't know about adopting. She wants me to go and live with
her. She said I could have everything, if I only would,--a new
piano, and lessons, and two rooms all furnished beautiful, and a
doll house, and go to Europe, and a pony--two of 'em--and,
oh, I don't remember half!"

And you are sure you wish to give up all that grandeur for this
old codgery doctor who has n't any money?"

"You are n't old, and you are n't cod--the other thing--and
I love you! Do you--do you want me to go?" she sobbed.

"Thistledown,"--and his voice was very tender,--"I think
such an arrangement as Mrs. Jocelyn proposes would break my heart.
Still, if you really would be happy in going to her, I trust I
should be unselfish and brave enough to give you up. But I am
gladder than you can guess that you have chosen the life with
me."

"I could n't choose any other way; but I love her, I lover her
ever so much!" Polly sighed. "I'm afraid she will feel bad not
to have me go. Oh, I wish there did n't so many folks want me--
first Aunt Jane, and now her!"

"It must be rather troublesome to be in such demand," the Doctor
smiled.

"It is," responded Polly between a laugh and a sob.

The sat for a while in silence, Polly's head nestled on the broad
shoulder.

Finally Dr. Dudley spoke. "Can you keep a secret?"

"I think I could--I know I could," she answered slowly; "but
I never have any to keep."

"I am going to let you into one," he smiled; "but you must n't
breathe a word of it to anybody."

"Oh, I won't! I won't tel