s. With
an abruptness that almost awakened her, he carried her in to his wife.

Mrs. Wade felt an inexplicable hurt at the decidedness of little Rose's
preference for Martin. She could not understand it. She took exquisite
care of her, cooked the things she liked best, let her mess to her
heart's content in the kitchen, made her dolls pretty frocks, cuddled
her, told her stories and stopped her work to play with her on rainy
days--but she could not win the same affection the little girl bestowed
so lavishly on Martin. If left to herself she was always to be found
with the big, silent man.

As the month's visit lengthened into three, it was astonishing what
good times they had together. If he was pitching hay, her slender little
figure, short dress a-flutter, was to be seen standing on the fragrant
wagonload. At threshing time, she darted lightly all over the separator,
Martin's watchful eye constantly upon her, and his protective hand near
her. She went with him to haul the grain to mill and was fascinated
by the big scales. On the way there and back he let her hold the great
lines in her little fists. In the dewy mornings, she hop-skipped and
jumped by his side into the pasture to bring in the cows. She flitted in
and out among them during milking time.

"I think she makes them too nervous, Martin," Rose had once remarked.
"Better run out, darling, until we finish and then come help auntie in
the dairy."

"They might as well get used to her," he had answered tersely. "It'll
hurt her feelings to be sent away."

Rose could scarcely believe her ears. Memories, bitter, intolerable,
crowded upon her. Had the little girl really changed Martin so
completely? Oh, if only her boy could have lived! Perhaps she had made
a great mistake in being so determined not to have another. Was it too
late now? She looked at her husband. Well as she knew every detail of
his fine, clean cut features, his broad shoulders and rippling muscles,
they gave her a sudden thrill. It was as if she were seeing him again
for the first time in years. If only he could let a shadow of this new
thoughtfulness and kindliness fall on her, they might even yet bring
some joy into each other's lives. They had stepped off on the wrong
foot. Why, they really hadn't been even acquainted. They had been
led into thinking so because of the length of time they had both been
familiar figures in the same community. Beyond a doubt, if they were
being married today,