od that it was only
make-believe; that beneath it all her face was still young and fair,
without the ravaging touch of Time's withering hand.

But it touched her heart keenly to see her little Pearl, whom she was
learning to fairly idolize, shrink from her.

"I must, indeed, look greatly changed," she said, with a sob.

Hastily dressing the little one, and taking her with her, Dorothy wended
her way to her destination.

She had always looked upon a little child much the same as a little girl
admires a big wax doll. _Now_ she was beginning to realize that a real
live baby must be washed and dressed and fed and attended to; that it
wouldn't go to sleep or keep awake when people wished; in short, she was
beginning to understand that it could be a darling little nuisance at
times, even to those who adored the dimpled bit of precious humanity the
most.

Fairly panting with carrying so heavy a burden in her slender arms,
Dorothy reached at length the avenue and number--a magnificent brown
stone mansion in the center of the block.

With beating heart she ascended the steps and touched the bell.

A very polite servant answered her summons and ushered her into a
spacious drawing-room.

"Madame will be with you presently, as she is expecting you," he said,
indicating a seat.

Little Pearl commenced to cry, and Dorothy was at her wit's end to know
what to do with her.

She was all flushed with nervousness by the time she heard footsteps in
the corridor approaching the room.

An instant later the silken _portieres_ were swept aside by a white,
jeweled hand, and a white-haired lady entered.

Dorothy rose to her feet, and caught her breath with a low cry that died
in her throat.

The room seemed to whirl around her. She stood face to face with Jack's
mother!

Dorothy had never seen her but once or twice before in those old days.

She remembered every lineament of her face perfectly, however. How could
she help it, when Mrs. Garner bore such a striking resemblance to her
fair-haired, handsome son? But she could not understand it; it almost
seemed as if she was in a dream to find Mrs. Garner here surrounded by
such elegance as this.

But before she could collect her scattered senses the lady advanced
toward her, saying, in her sweet, kind voice:

"You are very punctual, Mrs. Brown. This is in itself a great
recommendation. You are tired holding the baby in your arms. I will ring
for one of the servants to relieve