that name in the kitchen when
the first great shock was over, and Helen explained why it had been
Katy's choice. Poor stricken Katy, it was Morris' task to comfort
her--Morris, who sat by her holding the hot, feverish hand she had
placed in his, and telling her of the blessed Savior who loved the
little children while here on earth, and to whom her darling had surely
gone.

"Safe in His arms it would not come back if it could," he said, "and
neither would you have it."

But Katy was the mother, and human love could not so soon submit, but
went out after the lost one with a piteous agonizing wail, which hurt
Morris cruelly.

"Oh, I want my baby back. I know she is safe, but I want her back. She
was my life--all I had to love," Katy moaned, rocking to and fro in this
first hour of her bereavement.

"You forget your husband," Morris said. "You have him left, and
husbands, I supposed, were dearer than one's children."

"Yes," Katy answered, "I have Wilford, and am glad of that; but he will
blame me so much for bringing baby here to die. He will say it was my
fault; and that I can't bear. I know it was, know I killed my baby; but
I did not mean to. I would give my life for hers, if like her I was
ready," and into Katy's face there came a look of fear which Morris
failed to understand, not knowing Wilford as well as Katy knew him.

Surely no man could reproach the half-crazed creature, who all that
night sat by the bedside of her dead child, sleeping a little in her
chair, but obtaining no real rest, so that by the morning her face was
like some white rose on which a fierce storm has beaten, breaking off
its petals and crushing out its life. At nine o'clock there came to her
a telegram. Wilford had reached New York and would be in Silverton that
afternoon, accompanied by Bell. At this last Marian Hazelton caught
eagerly as an excuse for what she intended doing. She could not remain
there after Wilford came, nor was it necessary. Her task was done, or
would be when she had finished the wreath and cross of flowers she was
making for the coffin. Laying them on baby's pillow, Marian went in
quest of Helen, to whom she explained that as Bell Cameron was coming,
and the house would be full, she had decided upon going to West
Silverton, especially as she wished to see the lady with whom she once
boarded, and who had been so kind to her.

"I might stay," she added, as Helen began to protest, "but you do not
need me. I have d