l, or--she could not
formulate her fear; a real and palpable danger from the outside world
had never crossed her fancy till now. What if some stranger should
enter, some tramp, some--a step on the porch without made her hair rise
on her forehead; she clasped her hands and stood trembling, when a
sudden moan startled her ears, followed by the sound of a heavy fall on
the threshold, and throwing aside all hesitation, she flung herself
forward, and tearing open the door, saw--oh, angels that rejoice in
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, let your voices go up in praise
this night, for Jacqueline Japha has returned to the home of her
fathers!

She had fainted, and lay quite still on the threshold, but Paula, who
was all energy now, soon had her in the centre of the sitting-room, and
was applying to her such restoratives as had been provided against this
very emergency. She was holding the poor weary head on her knee, when
the wan eyes opened, and looking up, grew wild with a disappointment
which Paula was quick to appreciate.

"You are looking for Margery," said she. "Margery will come by-and-by;
she is not well to-night and I am taking her place, but when she hears
you have returned, it will take more than sickness to keep her to her
bed. I am Paula, and I love you, too, and welcome you--oh, welcome you
so gladly."

The yearning look which had crept into the woman's bleared and faded
eyes, deepened and softened strangely.

"You are the one who told me about Margery," said she, "and bade me
bring my baby here to be buried. I remember, though I seemed to pay no
heed then. Night and day through all my pain, I have remembered, and as
soon as I could walk, stole away from the hospital. It has killed me,
but I shall at least die in my father's house."

Paula stooped and kissed her. "I am going to get your bed ready," said
she. And without any hesitation now, she opened the door that led into
those dim inner regions that but a few minutes before had inspired her
with such dread.

She went straight to Jacqueline's room. "It must all be according to
Mrs. Hamlin's wishes," she cried, and lit the fire on the hearth, and
pulled back the curtains yet farther from the bed, and gave the benefit
of her womanly touch to the various objects about her, till cheerfulness
seemed to reign in a spot once so peopled with hideous memories. Going
back to Jacqueline, she helped her to rise, and throwing her arm about
her waist, led her in