e bright and rosy faces that with every glance and motion
thanked him for their dower of health and honor, he blessed the great
Creator from whom he had received the wondrous gift of potential
fatherhood, and gave thanks that he had wisely listened to the angel's
voice bidding him keep his gift for those whose life, in the years to
come, was to be his holiest possession.

ALMOST A MAN.

By Mary Wood-Allen, M. D.

"Let me take your book of quotations, please."

"Certainly, if I can find it. O, I remember. I let Susie Glenn take it.
No doubt I can find it in her desk."

As she spoke Miss Bell walked to the desk and, finding the desired book,
took possession of it. An open note dropped from it and fell upon the
floor. Picking it up Miss Bell read: "My darling little sweetheart," and
glancing at the close saw the signature, "Carl." Sending of notes in
school was forbidden, therefore Miss Bell had no compunction of
conscience in taking possession of this one, and, on the impulse of the
moment, read it aloud to Miss Lane, her fellow-teacher. It was not only
sentimental in tone but there were mysterious phrases which seemed to
hold a deep and sinful significance. The women looked at each other with
sorrowful faces.

"What shall I do about it?" asked Miss Bell.

"What a depth of wickedness it reveals!" exclaimed Miss Lane. "Who would
have imagined that such a nice appearing boy as Carl Woodford could be
so base? And Susie Glenn too, such a shy, modest little creature as she
seems."

"Do you suppose it is really as bad as it seems to us? Those expressions
which appear to indicate such--such almost criminal intimacy perhaps
they do not understand fully."

"Don't you believe it," said Miss Lane. "I tell you these children are
wiser in sin than we older people can imagine. That boy needs to be
whipped within an inch of his life, the little reprobate! I'd give him
such a lecture as would make his eyes open wide for once. I'd make him
understand that he'd better not let me catch him in such mischief again.
And I'd tell Mrs. Glenn about it so that she could punish Susie."

"I really am afraid that the result would not be what we wish. Suppose
we go and talk it over with Dr. Barrett. Maybe she can tell us what to
do."

Dr. Barrett received the ladies with cordiality and professed herself
willing to aid them in the solution of their problem. She did not appear
as shocked as they did, and even smiled a little as Mis