The old minister sighed. "I'm afraid I don't, my boy; but I thought

maybe you might."

"No, sir! There's something wrong with that fellow. I don't mean to

judge, but somehow, instinctively, I don't trust him."

"Well," said Dr. Lavendar; "I wouldn't judge; but--I'd trust my

instincts."

William grinned; then he sighed. "I won't tell Mrs. Richie about

seeing him. She'd be mortified at his behavior. If she knew as much of

the wickedness of the world as we do, she might even be suspicious!

But, thank God, she's not that kind of a woman. I don't like worldly-

wise ladies."

Dr. Lavendar nodded. "Black sheep can pull the wool over people's eyes

better than white ones can. Do you know, one reason why I hesitated

about letting her have David, was just because I didn't take to her

brother? For that matter, David doesn't take to him either;--and Danny

can't abide him. And William, I have a great respect for the judgment

of my betters in such matters! Yes; I almost kept the little monkey

myself; but I suppose it's better for him to be with a woman?"

"Of course it is," said William King, and Dr. Lavendar's face fell. "I

think she wants to adopt him," William added.

Dr. Lavendar shook his head. "I haven't made up my mind about that

yet. Not only because of the brother;--he comes so rarely he doesn't

count. But I want to make sure she can be trusted to bring a child

up."

"I don't think there could be a better person," the doctor declared,

warmly. "She has a lovely nature."

"A pretty creature," Dr. Lavendar ruminated; "Martha fond of her?"

"Oh, yes indeed," William said enthusiastically;--"at least, I don't

know that I ever happened to hear her speak of it; but of course she

is. Nobody could help it. She is a sweet woman, as you say."

"Well," said Dr. Lavendar, "get Martha to be neighborly with her. She

needs neighboring. And Martha could teach her so many things--she's

such a sensible woman."

"Yes; Martha is sensible," William agreed. "Dr. Lavendar, did you ever

notice how, when she laughs, she has a way of putting her hands on the

top of her head, and sort of drawing them down over her eyes like a

girl? It's as pretty!"

Dr. Lavendar tried to remember. "Why, no," he said; "I don't know that

I ever noticed it. Martha doesn't laugh very often."




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