e had thereupon arrived, the young secretary had
been in a vaguely expectant state of mind. The great fact she had
discovered could not long remain concealed from the person whom, next to
herself, it most concerned. Of course, it was impossible for her to speak
out. But she had only to wait, and all would come right.

She saw now why "Cobbler" Horn had been so much agitated to hear that,
when she was found by Mr. and Mrs. Burton, she was wearing only one shoe;
and she was not surprised, the next morning, when he asked to see the shoe
itself. As the day passed, she was instinctively aware that something
unusual was going on. The visit of Tommy Dudgeon; the circumstance that
she was not summoned to "Cobbler" Horn's room as usual, during the day;
and her being unexpectedly despatched to take Susie Martin for a
drive--were all signs pointing in one direction; and when, on her return
from the drive, she was greeted with the announcement that Mrs. Burton was
waiting to see her in the dining-room, she felt sure that the great secret
was known. And she could not be much surprised, therefore, when, in the
end, Mrs. Burton proceeded to make in set terms, the communication with
which she was charged.

"My dear," said the good lady, fondly kissing her adopted daughter, "I'm
sure you will be surprised to see me."

"I'm delighted, at any rate, dear mother," was the pardonably evasive
reply.

"Not more than I am!" exclaimed the good creature. Notwithstanding the
loss she expected to sustain through the discovery which had been made,
she had schooled herself to rejoice in the happiness which had come to her
child. "But," she added, "you, my dear, will be more delighted still, when
you hear the news I have to tell."

As she spoke, she led the young secretary to a chair, and, having caused
her to be seated, sat down on another chair by her side. Then she took her
companion's hand and held it tenderly in her lap.

"My dear, I want to ask you something."

The good lady tried to be calm, but her tones grew tremulous as she spoke.
Miss Owen, too, was becoming excited, in spite of herself.

"Yes, mother dear," and the girl seemed to put special and loving emphasis
on the word "mother."

"Do you remember," continued Mrs. Burton, "how, when you were all at Daisy
Lane, at the opening of the 'Home,' we were talking about Mr. Horn having
lost his little girl in some mysterious fashion; and you said, laughing,
what fun it would be, if you