"What is in that little woman's mind? May I know?" asked Mr. Stanton,when he and his brother-in-law had left their two young charges atMiss Ashton's door and had turned their faces business-ward. "0r isit of a private nature?" he added.

"Well, I suppose I may tell you what she asked; for if I yield everyone will know it, as she has talked so much of her music lessons,"said Mr. Bradford; "and I will tell you my suspicions. I fear that Iam maybe too much inclined to yield to her plea, while I am notsatisfied that it is wise to do so. But I am not sure that you willbe a very unprejudiced adviser," he added, knowing well that UncleRuthven was generally of the opinion that it was well to yield to thewishes of his favorite nieces, Maggie and Bessie.

Then he told of Bessie's proposal, and of whither his own suspicionstended.

"The dear little soul!" exclaimed Mr. Stanton, "and these music lessonshave been the desire of her heart for the last two months."

"Yes for a longer time than that," exclaimed Mr. Bradford; "she is makinga real sacrifice in offering to give them up. 0f course, there is nonecessity for her to do that; she shall have her music lessons. Butthe question with me is whether it is well to work blindly in thisway, even for the purpose of relieving these two innocent tiny children."