gainst the older, weather-beaten face, that Wolf did
not dare to look at her.

They were going to Atlantic City; neither had ever been there, and if
this warm weather lasted it would be lovely, even in early spring. It
was almost four o'clock when the younger women went upstairs for the
freshening touches that Norma declared she needed, and then Wolf and his
mother were left alone.

He knelt down beside the big rocker in which she was ensconced with the
baby, and she put one arm about him, and kissed the big thick crest of
his brown hair.

"You're glad, aren't you, Mother?"

"Glad! I've prayed for it ever since she came to me, years ago," Mrs.
Sheridan answered. But after a moment she added, gravely: "She's pure
gold, our Norma. They've sickened her, just as I knew they would! But,
Wolf, she may swing back for a little while. She's like that; she always
has been. She was no more than a baby when she'd be as naughty as she
could be, and then so good that I was afraid I was going to lose her. Go
gently with her, Wolf; be patient with her, dear. She's going to make a
magnificent woman, some day."

"She's a magnificent woman, now," the man said, simply. "She's too good
for me, I know that. She's--you can't think how cunning she is--how
wonderful she's been, all day!"

"Go slowly," his mother said again. "She's only a baby, Wolf; she's
excited and romantic and generous because she's such a baby! Don't make
her sorry that she's given herself to you so--so trusting----"

She hesitated.

"I'll take care of her!" Wolf asserted, a little gruffly.

There was time for no more; they heard her step on the stairs, and she
came dancing back with Rose. Her cheeks were burning with excitement;
she gave her aunt and cousin quick good-bye kisses, and caught the
baby's soft little cheek to her own velvety one. She and Wolf would be
back on Sunday night, they promised; as they ran down the path the sun
slipped behind a leaden cloud, and all the world darkened suddenly. A
brisk whirl of springtime wind shook the rose bushes in Rose's little
garden, and there was a cool rushing in the air that promised rain.

But Norma was still carried along on the high tide of supreme emotion,
and to Wolf the day was radiant with unearthly sunshine, and perfumed
with all the flowers of spring. The girl had flung herself so
wholeheartedly into her role that it was not enough to bewilder and
please Wolf, she must make him utterly happy. Dear old Wo