d of such a thing.

In a moment all the young girl's familiar world fell broken at her
feet--the old childhood home in the country, her happy friendships at
school. She saw a new world, like a vision in a fairy tale. It was a
wonderful world, that contained all the marvels of which she had
dreamed--wealth, position, admiration. Yet it was a homesick world,
for it was peopled with few of the friends whom Madge loved, with none
of the familiar places. In spite of the girl's fancies, the actual
every-day life of poverty and hope was too dear to be laid lightly
aside.

Mrs. Curtis still waited for Madge to speak.

"Uncle and Aunt----" she faltered. "They--would miss me----"

"Yes, I know," returned Mrs. Curtis sympathetically. "Of course, your
own people will find it hard to give you up just at first, and Eleanor
will miss you. But I do not believe your uncle and aunt will stand in
your way if you really wish to come to me."

Mrs. Curtis concluded in the tone of a woman accustomed to having her
own way. She was puzzled at Madge's indecision.

"Are you sure you care for me enough to wish me to live with you, Mrs.
Curtis?" asked Madge quietly. "You see, you know only the nicest part
of me, but I have a miserable temper. Nellie and my friends are used
to me. Suppose you should take me away to live with you, and then grow
tired of me?" The girl's clear eyes questioned her new friend gravely.

Mrs. Curtis smiled and shook her head. "No; I shouldn't grow tired of
you. People may sometimes grow vexed with you, but they are not going
to become tired of you. Now sit quite still. I want you not to speak,
but to think very hard for three minutes and then to tell me whether
you wish to be my adopted daughter. I do not wish to trouble your
uncle and aunt unless you feel sure of yourself."

Mrs. Curtis took out her watch and laid it in her lap.

She did not look at the watch; she kept her gaze on Madge's face.

The little captain did not speak. She knew her eyes were filled with
tears. She was so young, and it was hard to decide her whole future
life in the space of three minutes. She realized that if Mrs. Curtis
adopted her, she would have to give up her gay, independent existence
among her old friends, the joy of doing for herself and of learning to
overcome obstacles. Then, on the other hand, Mrs. Curtis loved her and
she would give her everything in the world that a young girl could
desire.

"Mrs. Cu