Bad Hugh

And during all this while came there to Adah's heart no suspicion for

whom and whose she was thus laboring? No strange interest in the

bridegroom, the handsome doctor, so doted upon by mother and sisters?

None whatever. She scarcely remembered him, or if she did, it was as one

toward whom she was utterly indifferent. He would not notice her. He

might not notice Willie, though yes, she rather thought he would like

her boy; everybody did, and the young mother bent down to kiss her

child, and so hide the blush called up by a remembrance of Irving

Stanley's kindness on that sad journey to Terrace Hill.

Rapidly the few days went by, bringing at last the very morning when he

was expected. Brightly, warmly the April sun looked in upon Adah,

wondering at the load upon her spirits. She did not associate it with

the doctor, nor with anything in particular. She did not know for

certain that she should even see him. She might and she might not, but

if she did perchance stumble upon him, she would a little rather he

should see that she was not like ordinary waiting-maids. She would make

a good impression!

And so she wore the pretty dark French calico which Anna had given to

her, fastened the neat linen collar with a chaste little pin, buttoned

her snow-white cuffs, thrust a clean handkerchief into the dainty pocket

on the outside of her skirt, and then descended to the drawing-room to

see that the fires were burning briskly, for spite of the cheerful

sunshine pouring in, the morning was cold and frosty. They had delayed

their breakfast until the doctor should come, and in the dining-room the

table was laid with unusual care. Everything was in its place, and still

Adah fluttered around it like a restless bird, lingering by what she

knew was the doctor's chair, taking up his knife, examining his napkin

ring, and wondering what he would think of the cheap bone rings used at

Spring Bank.

In the midst of her cogitations, the door bell rang, and she heard the

tramp of horses' feet as Jim drove around to the stable. The doctor had

come and she must go, but where was Willie?

"Willie, Willie," she called, but Willie paid no heed, and as Eudora had

said, was directly under foot when she unlocked the door, his the first

form distinctly seen, his the first face which met the doctor's view,

and his fearless baby laugh the first sound, which welcomed the doctor

home!