ived of the
tenderest consideration for each other, but resulting in lifelong misery.

I tell you, it was mighty hard sometimes for Cordelia and me not to break
out with the truth!

It occurred to us both that there would eventually come a time when the
friendship of Mr. and Mrs. Blossom would be precious indeed to our
daughter. We had great hopes of that child, and all our day-dreams
involved her. She must go to school, she must be educated, she must want
nothing; there was no conceivable sacrifice which Cordelia and I would
not make gladly for our little girl. Would we be willing to share her
love with these two childless old people, who yearned for that love and
were ready to repay it with every benefit which riches can supply? We
asked ourselves that question a thousand times. God helped us to answer
it.

The winter set in early and suddenly. We were awakened one night by that
hoarse, terrifying sound which chills the parent heart with anxiety. Our
little one was flushed with fever, and there was a rattling in her throat
when she breathed. When the doctor came he told us not to be frightened;
this was a mild form of croup, he said. His medicines seemed to give
relief, for presently the child breathed easier and slept. Next morning
an old gentleman on his way downtown wondered why the baby was not out to
greet him with a hilarious shout; he felt that here--all about his
heart--which told him that two dimpled hands had taken hold and held him
fast. An old lady came to the door that day and asked questions
hurriedly and in whispers, and went away crying to herself under her veil.

When it came night again the baby was as good as well. I was rocking her
and telling her a story, when the door-bell rang. A moment later--I
could hardly believe my senses, but Mr. Blossom stood before me.

"I heard she was sick," said he, coming up to the cradle and taking the
baby's hand awkwardly, but tenderly, in his. "You can never know how I
have suffered all day, for this little one has grown very dear to me, and
I dare not think what I should do if evil were to befall her. To-night I
told my wife a lie. I said that I had a business engagement that called
me downtown; I told her _that_ in order to hasten here without letting
her know the truth. She does not like children; I would not for the
world have her know how tenderly I love this little one."

He was still talking to me in this wise when I heard a step upon