g finely," returned Rosie, bringing her mother's
mantle and putting it about her with loving care.

"So she is," replied Harold with a light laugh; "but we cannot be too
careful of her to satisfy her doting husband, and though eager to
exhibit her new treasure to all her friends and relatives, she is
entirely submissive to his will in the matter."

"Oh, well, I can wait," laughed Rosie. "Give her my love, mamma, and
tell her I am not staying away from any indifference to her or the
little newcomer."

"No fear that she would ever suspect you of that, Rosie dear," her
mother said, with a slight smile; "but I will assure her of your
interest in both herself and baby boy. Now good-bye till my return,
which I presume will be in the course of an hour or two."

"Don't hurry home on my account, mamma dear," returned Rosie. "I shall
not be lonely. I have letters to write, and that will make the time pass
quickly."

"It is a lovely day and the short drive with my son will be very
enjoyable," Mrs. Travilla remarked, as Harold handed her into the
vehicle.

"To us both, I hope, mother," he returned, giving her an affectionate
look and smile. "Yours is to me the best company in the world. The roads
are in fine condition," he added as he took up the reins and they
started down the avenue, "the fields and gardens along the way also, and
the air full of the fragrance of flower and shrub. Oh, on such a morning
as this it seems a joy just to be alive and well!"

"Yes," she responded, "oh, what cause for gratitude to the Giver of all
good that you and I, and all our nearest and dearest in this world, are
alive and well."

"Yes, mother; attendance upon the sick and suffering has given me a
higher appreciation of the greatness of the blessing of sound health
than I had in earlier days. It is saddening to witness suffering from
accident and disease, but a great privilege to be able in many cases to
relieve it. That last makes me thankful that I was led to choose the
medical profession."

"And you have often an opportunity to minister to souls as well as
bodies; one which I hope you do not neglect."

"I am afraid I have sometimes neglected it, mother," he acknowledged
with a sigh, "and at others performed it in a very halting and imperfect
way. But as you know--for I could not keep from you such gladness as
the knowledge of that fact brought me--I have been privileged to win
some souls to Christ--smooth some dying pillows--and to