ordinary."

"Then she will be in good hands."

"Al--you are an idiot. Some day you will rue this shilly-shallying."

Dr. Richards' reply was an unmirthful laugh, as if he was not rueing
the mischance all the time. But he was proud and would not go back of
his word.

CHAPTER XIII

A NEW ATMOSPHERE

They came back to the sleepy grate fire. Miss Armitage said--"You must
go to bed for you will have to be up early in the morning."

"I shall only stay a little while," as if she had been musing over her
journey. "Fairy godmother why don't you come, too?"

"Well, you see I was not asked, I am outside of all this business."

The voice was on the verge of a touch of bitterness, though nature and
endeavor had made it sweet.

"Why, that's funny. They did not know how much I should want you. I'll
ask the doctor in the morning. Oh, I wonder if I shall like those
little cousins?"

"No, dear, you must not speak of it. There is nothing for me to do.
Sometime we will go to the city together and have a nice outing."

"Are you glad the doctor is going to be my guardian, and--about the
fortune?"

"You couldn't have a better one."

"Can't women be guardians? But I'd rather have you for a fairy
godmother. No one else in the whole wide world could be that, you
know. For the one in the dream wasn't truly alive. I don't believe she
could have taken care of a sick body. Oh you are so sweet! I love you!
love you!"

Would the child always love her? She was coming to the crucial years.
She was very fond and sincere now, but she had cause to be grateful.
She knew so little of the world, she had a winsome charm that was
unfolding every day, she would be attractive to others. Jane was her
fervent admirer, Bridget adored her, the babies capered around when
they saw her in a species of Indian dance.

Yes, she would win love, she would not be dependent on her alone.
Would there come a time when she would flit from the wing of fairy
godmother and find her only an ordinary friend?

There seemed a sudden dreariness in the world like a bright day
clouding over. It ought not look so to a woman of five and thirty
with health and prosperity and plenty of work that did interest her.
Other orphan girls might appeal to her to make their lonely lives
blossom with hope and happiness.

Yes, she must let her go with earnest wishes for her future. She would
rejoice in whatever came to her and not ask all the fragrance of the
sweet young