Bad Hugh

Obedient to the ring, Pamelia came, manifesting no surprise when told by

Anna to unlock the door and see if the little room was in order for

"Mrs. Markham."

Pamelia cast a rapid glance at Adah, who winced as she heard the new

name, and felt glad when Anna added: "Pamelia, I can trust you not to

gossip out of the house. This young woman's name is not Markham, but I

choose to have her called so."

Another glance at Adah, more curious than the first, and then Pamelia

did as she was bidden, opening the door and saying, as she did so: "I

know the room is in order. There's a fire, too; Miss Anna has forgot

that Dr. John slept here last night."

"I do remember now," Anna replied. "Mrs. Markham can go in at once.

Pamelia, send lunch to her room, and tell your husband to bring up her

trunk."

Again Pamelia bowed and departed to do her young mistress' bidding,

while Adah entered the pleasant room where Dr. Richards had slept the

previous night.

On the marble hearth the remains of a cheerful fire were blazing, while

on the mantel over the hearth was a portrait of a boy, apparently ten or

twelve years of age, and a young girl, who seemed a few years older. The

girl was Anna. But the boy, the handsome, smooth-cheeked boy, in his

fancy jacket, with that expression of vanity plainly visible about his

mouth. Who was he? Had Adah any knowledge of him? Had they met before?

Never that she knew of. Dr. Richards was a stranger to her, for she

guessed this was the doctor, 'Lina's betrothed, scrutinizing him

closely, and wondering if the man retained the look of the boy. And as

she gazed, the features seemed to grow familiar. Surely she had met a

face like this, but where she could not guess, and turning from him she

inspected the rest of the room, wondering if Alice Johnson were ever in

this room.

With thoughts of Alice came memories of Spring Bank, and the wish that

they knew all this. How thankful they would be, and how thankful she was

for this resting place in the protection of sweet Anna Richards. It was

better than she had even dared to hope for, and sinking down by the

snowy-covered bed, she murmured inaudibly the prayer of thanksgiving she

felt compelled to make to Him who had led her to Terrace Hill. It was

thus that Pamelia found her when she came up again, and it did much to

establish the profound respect she ever manifested toward the new

waiting maid, Rose Markham.

"Your lunch will be here directly," she said to Adah, who little dreamed

of the parley which had taken place between Asenath and Dixson, the

cook, concerning this same lunch.