s waiting for us," the doctor
heard her say to the old lady, who was elbowing her way through the
crowd, and who at last came to a standstill, apparently looking for
something she could not find. "What is it, auntie?" Alice said again.
"Lost something, have you? I'll be with you in a minute."

Two hours ago, and Dr. Richards would not have cared if fifty old women
had lost their entire wardrobe. As an attache of some kind to Alice
Johnson, Densie was an object of importance, and stepping forward, just
as Alice had made her way to the distressed old lady's side, he very
politely offered to assist in the search.

"Ah, Dr. Richards, thank you," Alice said, as the black kid was found,
and passed to its anxious owner.

The doctor never dreamed of an introduction, for his practiced eye saw
at once that however Alice might auntie her, the woman was still a
servant. How then was he surprised when Alice said:

"Miss Densmore, this is Dr. Richards, from Terrace Hill," adding, in an
aside to him: "My old nurse, who took care of both mother and myself
when we were children."

They were standing in the door now, and the covered sleigh was drawn up
just in front.

"Auntie first," she said, as they reached the carriage steps, and so the
doctor was fain to help auntie in, whispering gallantly in an aside:

"Age before beauty always!"

"Thank you," and Alice's ringing laugh cut the winter air as she
followed Densie Densmore, the doctor carefully wrapping her cloak about
her, and asking if her fur was pulled up sufficiently around her neck.

"It's very cold," he said, glancing up at the glittering stars, scarcely
brighter than the blue eyes flashing on him. "At least I found it so on
my walk to church," and with a slight shiver the scheming doctor was
bowing himself away, when Alice exclaimed:

"Did you walk this wintry night? Pray, gratify me then by accepting a
seat in our sleigh. There's plenty of room without crowding auntie."

Happy Dr. Richards! How he exerted himself to be agreeable, talking
about the singing, asking if she often honored the people as she had
to-night.

"I take Miss Fisher's place when she is absent," Alice replied,
whereupon, the doctor said he must have her up at Terrace Hill some day,
to try Anna's long-neglected instrument. "It was once a most superb
affair, but I believe it is sadly out of tune. Anna is very fond of you,
Miss Johnson, and your visits would benefit her greatly. I assure you
ther