ed long, and
suffered much, and grown weary of her life. It is from that that she
has been saved, to happy days, and useful. It will be something to see
her father's face when his eyes light upon her. And the doctor speaks
in earnest, when he says he took pleasure in helping the child."

Doctor Fleming looked up from his letter and smiled, and then read a few
words more from it.

"`You will understand and believe me when I say, that her firm and
gentle nurse has done more for the child than I have done. Without her
constant, wise and loving care, all else could have availed little. She
is a woman among a thousand--a born nurse--'"

Allison laughed softly though the tears came to her eyes.

"Did he say that? He is kind. And I am glad, because--if a time should
come when--"

And then she paused as she met Marjorie's wondering eyes. The doctor
had something to say to the child, but he did not linger long. He had
come with the intention, also, of saying something to Allison of
Brownrig's condition. But he could not bring himself to do it.

"I will wait for a day or two, to see how it is like to be with him. He
is not in a fit state to be moved, as the sight of her would be likely
to move him. And even if I knew he were able to bear it, I could not by
any words about him, spoil her happy homecoming."

"A happy homecoming!" It was that truly. When they came to the mill,
where the houses on that side of the town begin, Marjorie would have
liked to leave the gig, with which Robert had gone to meet them, at the
point where they left the mail-coach, that all the folk might see that
she could walk, and even run, "like the other bairns." And then
everybody would see how wise her father and mother had been in sending
her away to a good man's care. But Robert laughed at her, and said
there would be time enough for all that in the days that were coming,
and Allison bade her wait till her father and mother might see her very
first steps at home.

The time of their homecoming was known, and there were plenty of people
to see them as they passed down the street. Every window and door
showed a face which smiled a welcome to the child. As for Marjorie she
smiled on them all, and nodded and called out many a familiar name; and
there were happy tears in her eyes, and running down her cheeks, before
she made the turn which brought the manse in sight.

And then, when they stopped at the door, her father took her in