Family Pride

It was strange how much confidence Katy had in Marian Hazelton, and how the fact that she was going to New London reconciled her to the plan, making her even cheerful during the last day of baby's stay at home. But as the daylight waned and the night came on, a shadow began to steal across her sunny face, and her step was slower as it went up the stairs to the nursery, while only herself that night could disrobe the little creature and hush it into sleep.

"'Tis the last time, you know," she said to Kirby, who readily yielded her post and went out, leaving the young mother and child alone.

Mournfully sad and sweet was the lullaby Katy sang, and Helen, in the hall, listening to the low, sad moaning, half prayer, half benediction, likened it to a farewell between the living and the dead. Half an hour later, when she glanced into the room, lighted only by the moonbeams, baby was sleeping in her crib, which Katy knelt beside, her face buried in her hands, and her form quivering with the sobs she tried to smother as she softly prayed that her darling might come back again; that God would keep the little child and forgive the erring mother who had sinned so deeply since the time she used to pray in the home among the hills of Massachusetts. She was very white next morning, and to Helen she seemed to be expanding into something more womanly, more mature, as she disciplined herself to bear the pain welling up so constantly from her heart, and at last overflowing in a flood of tears when Marian was announced as in the parlor below waiting for her charge. Fortunately there was but little time for parting kisses and fond good-byes, for Marian had purposely waited as long as possible ere coming, and expedition was necessary if she reached the train.

It was Katy who made her baby ready, trusting her to no one else, and repelling with a kind of fierce decision all offers of assistance made either by Helen, Mrs. Cameron, Bell, or the nurse, who were present. While Katy's hands drew on the little bright, soft socks of wool, tied the hood of satin and lace, and fastened the scarlet cloak, her tears falling like rain as she met the loving, knowing look the baby was just learning to give her, half smiling, half cooing, as she bent her face down to it.

"Please all of you go out," she said, when baby was ready--"Wilford and all. I had rather be alone."