m."

But when the dismal old squaw blundered into the room, more blinded by
grief and tears than infirmity, the identity of his visitor came back
suddenly to him with the recollections of the past, and in all the
transcendent joy of an invaluable possession he called out, "Look, mamma!
Ain't her pretty? So-o pretty! Me s-sweet Polly Hopkins!" And sitting up
in bed, he threw his arms around both as they knelt beside it, and all
three wept locked in the same tender embrace.

For Lillian would not hear of the implication of "Polly Hopkins" in the
suspicion of the abduction, and the rigors of the law were annulled so
far as she was concerned. On the contrary, Mrs. Royston's first effort
was to ameliorate the old woman's condition, to take her at once to their
home to be cherished there forever. When the ancient sibyl, affrighted at
the idea of removal and change, positively refused, the mother tenderly
begged that she would tell then what could be done for her.

"Polly Hopkins" asked but one boon: the boy. That was the limit of her
demand.

Lillian was fain to solace her earnest desire to bestow rich reward by
settling a comfortable annuity on her and contracting for a snug, stanch
house to be built here, with every appliance that could add to her
comfort, and for this "Polly Hopkins" cared not at all; for her poor home
had been full of joy with "Alchie Loyston."

"I am glad I can afford it," said Lillian, with a gush of tears--how long
it had been since she could say she was glad of aught! "Though she will
not come with me, I shall have the best specialist in the United States
to leave everything and come here and take the cataracts from her eyes.
At least, she shall have her sight restored."

But alack, it was not "Alchie Loyston" whom she should see!

As for Lillian, she would scarcely consent to be separated from the
child for one moment. The authorities conceived it necessary to take
his statement in private--but allowed her to stand just outside the
door--before his mind could be influenced by the comments of others or
the involuntary assimilation of their views with his knowledge of the
facts, for there was still a large reward for any information leading
to the apprehension of the murderers of Edward Briscoe. Little Archie
had obviously been a witness of that catastrophe and kidnapped to prevent
his revealing the identity of its perpetrators. Indeed, this was a
well-founded fear, for he was very glib with the