otherwise improving by taking needed rest or recreation," Mrs. Leland
replied as she hastened away with Eva, with the purpose to make sure
that her newly arrived guest lacked for nothing which she could provide.

"At last, Evelyn, child! I suppose you have not been long gone, but it
seemed so to my impatience," was Laura's salutation as Eva reentered her
room.

"It is sweet to hear you say that, mother dear; sweet to know that you
love me so," Evelyn said in moved tones, bending down to press a kiss on
the wan cheek, "and I mean to fairly surfeit you with my company in the
days and weeks that lie before us."

"And she only waited with the rest of us to consult our good doctor for
you, Laura," added Mrs. Leland. "He has prescribed a sleeping potion for
to-night, and will call to see you and prescribe further in the
morning."

"I think I should have been consulted," returned the invalid in a tone
of irritation; "my money is all gone and he may never get his pay."

"Oh, don't trouble about that!" exclaimed Mrs. Leland and Evelyn in a
breath, the former adding, "His charges are not heavy and it will be
strange indeed if we cannot find a way to meet and defray them."

"Of course we can and will, and you are not to concern yourself any more
about it, mamma," added Evelyn in a tone of playful authority. "What
would be the use when you have a tolerably rich, grown-up daughter,
whose principal business and pleasure it will be to take care of and
provide for her long-lost, but now happily recovered mother. And here
comes uncle with your sleeping potion," she added, as Mr. Leland at that
moment appeared in the doorway, cup in hand.

"Here is something which I hope will quiet your cough, Laura," he said,
coming to the bedside. "It is not bad to take, either, and will be
likely to secure you a good night's rest."

"I don't know," she returned doubtfully, eyeing the cup with evident
disfavour, "I was never good at dosing."

"You prefer lying awake, racked with that distressing cough?"

"No," she sighed, taking the cup from his hand, "even quite a bad dose
would be better than that. And it was not so bad after all," she
concluded as she returned the cup, after swallowing its contents.

"Glad to hear you say so," he said in reply. "And now take my further
advice--lie still and go to sleep, leaving all the talk with Eva till
to-morrow. Good-night to you both." And he left the room, followed
presently by his wife, who linger