54 DAISY

tions, though her preference for Robertson was
decidedly marked, Ewen Mrs. rummond was
changing. She often took Baisy on her lap
now, and | had seen her- brush away a tear
when the child tried to smooth out her wrinkles
with her tiny hand,

lt was .late in the summer when Baisy re-
covered from the fever. All through the autumn,
Robertson gave her walks and drives, bought her
picture-books and toys to amuse herself with
during his absence, and with a sense of grati-
tude far beyond her years, her little heart seemed
- running over with love toward him.

Before the autumn closed my business con-
nections took me away, and for several years |
was a stranger to Fairfax. One winter day,

when the air was thick with snowflakes, | came