eeded her," was the plea with which she met
Wilford's arguments, until the mention of his child was sure to bring a
scowl upon his face, and it became a question in Helen's mind whether he
would not be happier if baby had never come between him and his
ambition.

To hear Katy's charms extolled, and know that she was admired, and he
was envied the possession of so rare a gem, feeling all the while sure
of her faith, was Wilford's great delight, and it is not strange that,
without any very strong fatherly feeling or principle of right in that
respect, he should be irritated by the little life so constantly
interfering with his pleasure and so surely undermining Katy's health.
For Katy did not improve, as Wilford hoped she might; and with his two
hands he could almost span her slender waist, while the beautiful neck
and shoulders, once his chiefest pride, were no longer worn uncovered,
for Katy would not display her bones, whatever the fashion might be. In
this dilemma Wilford sought his mother, and the result of that
consultation brought a more satisfied look to his face than it had worn
for many a day.

"Strange he had never thought of it, when it was what so many people
did," he said to himself as he hurried home. "It was the very best thing
both for Katy and the child, and would obviate every difficulty."

Next morning, as she sometimes did when more than usually fatigued, Katy
breakfasted in bed; while Wilford's face, as he sat opposite Helen at
the table, had on it a look of quiet determination, such as she had
rarely seen there before. In a measure accustomed to his moods, she felt
that something was wrong, and never dreaming that he intended honoring
her with his confidence, she was wishing he would finish the coffee and
leave, when, motioning the servant from the room, he said abruptly, and
in a tone which roused Helen's antagonistic powers at once, it was so
cool, so decided: "I believe you have more influence over your sister
than I have; at least, she has latterly shown a willfulness in
disregarding me and a willingness to listen to you, which confirms
me in this conclusion--"

"Well," and Helen twisted her napkin ring nervously, waiting for him to
say more; but her manner, so different from Katy's, disconcerted him,
making him a little uncertain what might be hidden behind that rigid
face, confronting him so steadily, a little doubtful as to the
expression it would put on when he had said all he meant to s