ed that very night, but Hinton did not put his new
address on it; he meant Charlotte now for prudential reasons to write to
his chambers. He returned to his lodgings, and for many weary and
anxious nights to come shared their watch with Mr. and Mrs. Home. So
quietly, so absolutely had this young man stepped into his office, that
the father and mother did not think of refusing his services. He was a
good nurse, as truly tender-hearted and brave men almost always are. The
sick child liked his touch. The knowledge of his presence was pleasant.
When nothing else soothed him, he would lie quiet if Hinton held his
little hot hand in his.

One evening, opening his bright feverish eyes, he fixed them full on
Hinton's face and said slowly and earnestly,--

"I did kiss that pretty lady."

"He means a lady whom he met in the Park; a Miss Harman, who came here
and brought him toys," explained Mrs. Home.

"Yes, isn't she a pretty lady?" repeated little Harold.

"Very pretty," answered Hinton, bending low over him.

The child smiled. It was a link between them. He again stole his hand
into that of the young man. But as days wore on and the fever did not
abate, the little life in that small frame began to grow feeble. From
being an impossibility, it grew to be probable, then almost certain,
that the little lad must die. Neither father nor mother seemed alive to
the coming danger; but Hinton, loving less than they did, was not
blinded. He had seen scarlet fever before, he knew something of its
treatment; he doubted the proper course having ever been pursued here.
One evening he followed the doctor from the sick-room.

"The child is very ill," he said.

"The child is so ill," answered the medical man, "that humanly speaking
there is very little hope of his life."

"Good sir!" exclaimed Hinton, shocked at his fears being put into such
plain language. "Don't you see that those parents' lives are bound up in
the child's, and they know nothing? Why have you told them nothing? Only
to-night his mother thought him better."

"The fever is nearly over, and in consequence the real danger beginning;
but I dare not tell the mother, she would break down. The father is of
different stuff, he would bear it. But there is time enough for the
mother to know when all is over."

"I call that cruel. Why don't you get in other advice?"

"My dear sir, they are very poor people. Think of the expense, and it
would be of no use, no use whatever."