her head. "But the lies," she reminded, under her breath.
"The lies. Felix, he won't forgive me. I _am_ engaged to him. And he
doesn't know that I've ever been married before. That's why I was so
scared when I saw--when I guessed Alan was at the Rectory. And why I
wanted to--to sneak a little while ago. Oh, I can't ever face Felix!
I--I've never even told him that Barbara is mine."

"Let _me_ tell him.--And surely marriage and a daughter aren't crimes.
And he'll respect you for clinging to the child."

"He knows I meant to desert her," Clare whispered back. "Oh, Miss
Milo, there's something wrong about me! I bore her. But I'm not her
mother. I never can be. Some women are mothers just naturally. Look
how those choir-boys love you! 'Momsey' they call you--'Momsey.' Ha!
They know a mother when they see one!"

Mrs. Milo rocked violently, darting a scornful look at the little
group. "Disgusting!" she observed.

The three gave her no notice. "You'll grow to love your baby,"
declared Sue. "You can't help it. Just wait till you've got a
home--instead of a boarding-house. And trust us, and let us help you."

A wan smile. "Ah, how dear and good you are!" breathed the girl.
"Will you kiss me?"

"God love you!" Once more Sue caught the slender figure to her.

"So good! So good!"--weeping.

"Now no more tears! Let me see a smile!" Sue lifted the wet face.

Clare smiled and turned away. "I'll finish in here," she said, and
went into the other room.

Farvel made as if to follow, but turned back. "Ah, Sue Milo, you are
dear and good!" he faltered. Then coming to take her hand, "Your
tenderness to Laura--your thought of the child! Ah, you're a woman in
a million! How can I ever get on without you!" He raised her hand to
his lips, held it a moment tightly between both of his, and went out.

Mrs. Milo had risen. Now she watched her daughter--the look Sue gave
Farvel, and the glance down at the hand just caressed. To the jealous
eyes of the elder woman, the clergyman's action, so full of tender
admiration, conveyed but one thing--such an attachment as she had
charged against Sue, and which now seemed fully reciprocated. With a
burst of her ever available tears, she dropped back into her chair.

But the tears did not avail. For Sue stayed where she was. And her
face was grave with understanding. "Ah, mother," she said, with a
touch of bitterness. "I knew my happiness would make you happy!"