m. The head nurse, from whom Josie
had received her instructions, was an exception. She had a hard face
and a harder voice hut somewhere, deep down in her heart, there was a
soft spot and never was she cruel or unreasonable. Josie grew to feel
that she stayed on at the place to keep Dr. Harper from doing more harm
than he was doing. He evidently respected her and relied on her, in
spite of the fact that she made no attempt to hide her dislike and
contempt for him.

The delicate looking lady, who spent her time pacing up and down the
gravel paths under the great trees, was none other than Mrs. Waller.
Josie would have recognized her anywhere, not only from the photograph
that little Polly had managed to keep with her through all of her
wanderings but from the strong likeness Peter bore to her--the same
great trusting eyes and sensitive mouth and the same set to the head,
which was carried well up through any and all misfortunes.

It was an easy matter to approach this woman who had been in a manner
put in her care. One look in her eyes assured Josie that she was
perfectly sane. The mouth was sensitive but firm and Josie was sure
that a person with that mouth could control her emotions unless under
great stress, as she had perhaps been when the nervous breakdown had
come upon her after the long anxiety concerning the soldier husband.

"Mrs. Waller," Josie said gently, "I have been sent to look after you."

"I am in need of nothing," was the dignified answer. Mrs. Waller
continued to walk. Evidently she had no desire to engage in
conversation with an attendant at the sanitarium. They were all alike,
either coarse and brutal or stupid beyond belief.

Josie joined her, walking by her side.

"Mrs. Waller, I have news for you but you must be careful and not show
any emotion while I talk with you." Josie's voice was quiet and firm.
"I am your friend and am here at this sanitarium to see you. I have
been engaged as a nurse by Dr. Harper, but am really here to give you
news of--"

"My husband!" gasped the poor lady, trying to be as calm as Josie.

"No, dear lady, of your children."

"They are well?"

"Yes, well and loving you all the time and talking about you
constantly. They are in good hands now."

"Ah--my Polly and Peter!"

Then Josie told the poor woman all that she knew of the two children.
Her eyes flashed at the mention of the so-called Cousin Dink, but on
the whole she controlled herself remarkably well du