led to his manliness, his kindness, his
generosity,--all with no success.

"Don't talk rubbish," he said, shortly; "you know as well as I do, it
won't hurt the child. In fact, I came to get her to-day, myself, because
I knew her nurse was out,--and I saw you go off,--and later, all the
rest of the bunch. If _you_ hadn't come back,--confound you! I'd have
had that child over there by this time!"

Azalea gasped. So her premonition had been a true one after all! Had
she not returned, Merritt would have easily overcome Janet and taken the
baby off with him. She knew they would not harm Fleurette,--indeed,
would be most careful of her. Unless, perhaps, they should give her
soothing-sirup again. Well they'd get no chance, for Azalea was
determined the baby should not be taken from her, and she most certainly
was not going herself.

"You know what it will mean to you," Merritt threatened; "if I so advise
Bixby, he'll throw you over. How'd you like to lose your job now that
you've just begun to make good?"

"That's nothing to do with it," Azalea said, trying to speak calmly and
not show how frightened she was.

But Merritt discerned it.

"All right," he said, "sorry you won't listen to reason,--but since you
won't,--guess I'll have to use force."

He took hold of Fleurette's little arm, to lift her from Azalea's lap,
and the touch roused the girl's wrath to boiling point.

"Don't you dare!" she cried, holding the baby tightly. "Leave,--leave at
once! or I'll call for help!"

She rose, as if to make good her threat, though she knew there was no
help within call.

Merritt knew it too, and he laughed at her.

"Stop this nonsense, now," he commanded roughly. "I'm going to
accomplish what I came here for, so you may as well take it quietly. I
can take the child without a whimper from her,--and you know it! So, why
not be sensible and come along too, and look out for her yourself?"

"You shall not take her!" Azalea looked like an angry tigress.

"Gee! Wish I had you on the screen like that! You're some picture!"

"Please, Mr. Merritt," Azalea tried coaxing again, "please believe
me,--I can't take Fleurette again. Her mother--why, Mr. Merritt, you
have children of your own--"

"Sure I have! That's how I know how to treat 'em so well. If mine were
only small enough, I wouldn't need this little cutie. Well, here goes,
then!"

This time he laid such a definite hold on the baby, that Azalea could
scarcely keep the chi