ll get her to let me in."

"Rather sooner than you expected me, ain't it? Folks not up yet? Just
go back and open the door, my girl; let me in, and then tell Mr.
Charles Mayfield that his uncle has come!"

"Oh, sir, you mistake! It is _next_ door Mr. Charles Mayfield lives,"
answered the girl.

"Next door? No; _you_ mistake, surely. My nephew Charley can't live
there!"

"Yes, sir. But his--" What the girl was going to say was stopped by a
jovial voice in the next door, calling out: "Uncle, here! How are
you?" And a moment more the pleasant old gentleman was caught by both
hands and drawn along to the next house. His nephew Charley saying:
"I'm so delighted to see you! Come in!"

Into the parlor he was carried, and seated in a very comfortable
arm-chair. The interior was more inviting than the outside. It told
very plainly that the wife did her duty toward making everything as
nice as possible; in a word, making the best of her means.

A very short time after a sweet-faced little woman entered, and was
presented by Charley, saying:

"Here is your niece, uncle."

The old gentleman received her welcome greeting by a return of real
affection. His heart warmed immediately to his nephew's wife. She bore
the traces of beauty which had been chased away by an over-amount of
care, the uncle very soon felt sure. There was an unmistakable look of
weariness and anxiety in her eyes.

Very soon Nellie, as Charley called her, excused herself, and went
out, saying she had a very inexperienced servant, and had to oversee
and assist her in her work.

Breakfast was announced, which was one that Uncle Hiram enjoyed,
notwithstanding the feeling which was uppermost in his mind, that the
strong, fragrant coffee, the delicate rolls, and the steak which was
cooked just as it should be, in a word, all that was so nice, was the
result of Nellie's skilful hands. And she looked so tired and heated
when she sat down to do the honors of her table. Again Uncle Hiram
noticed that constantly her eyes wandered from the table to a door
which entered the next room, which was partially opened. Her ear
seemed strained to catch every sound. At length a little, feeble wail
told the cause of her anxiety.

"Will you excuse me a moment, uncle?" she asked, and continued: "Our
babe was quite sick all night, and I feel anxious about her."

A moment or so after Nellie withdrew, the servant came in, bringing a
fresh supply of hot rolls. Then Uncle Hiram