ted by his labored breathing.

"You must not carry me. I am too heavy," she cried slipping from his
arms to the ground.

"Are you strong enough to walk, child? It is only the heat that makes me
pant; not your weight."

"I am quite strong enough," answered Bee, but he still kept his arm
about her, and so they proceeded homeward. Once more Beatrice broke the
stillness, the darkness giving her courage.

"You were good to come to me tonight, father. I haven't deserved it.
Oh! you don't know how bad I have felt about losing that butterfly."

"Never mind about it, Beatrice. I think we each have something to
forgive the other. I have my confession to make also. I have judged you
wrongly in many ways. There are many things that are becoming plain to
me. I can only excuse myself by saying that I was more ignorant of the
nature of a girl than even I knew. Can you forgive me?"

"There is nothing to forgive, father," cried Bee quickly, not quite
comprehending his meaning but grasping the fact that they were to be
friends.

"You are generous, Beatrice. But here we are at home. Go to your room,
change your clothes and bring them to me as I wish to burn them. We are
going to use every precaution against the spread of the disease, and
while I am vaccinating the servants, you must go directly to bed. The
afternoon has been a severe tax upon you."

"I am not a bit tired now," said Bee, who was happier than she had been
for a long time.

"You do not realize the strain that you have been under, my daughter."

"Adele!" exclaimed Bee coming to a standstill. "Ought we to go in,
father?"

"Adele is not here," answered he tersely. "She left for home as I went
after you."

"I am glad of it," sighed Bee with relief. "Then there won't be the
least doubt about her safety. Aren't you glad, too, father?"

"Yes;" replied William Raymond shortly, and there was that in his voice
which kept the girl from saying anything more. It was long before she
knew of the conversation between her father and her cousin.

"Good-night, my daughter," said Doctor Raymond with unwonted emotion,
drawing her to him as she brought him the clothing as he desired, and
prepared to withdraw to her own room. "I wonder if you realize what you
have done today?"

"Yes;" answered Bee, looking up quickly, but her alarm subdued as she
saw the light in his eyes. "I have done my level best to give every one
in the house small pox; but, father, I'll--"

"There, child!