reward that I wish or can receive," and she stooped and kissed
the child on both cheeks. Then taking Van Berg's arm, she gladly
escaped to the cool and dusky piazza.

Mr. Chints looked at Mrs. Chints in dismay. Mrs. Chints handed
the baby to the nurse, and beat an undramatic and hasty retreat,
her husband following in a dazed sort of manner, treading on her
train at every other step.

As Van Berg passed out of the parlor, he saw Ida Mayhew vanishing
from its farther side, with Stanton in close pursuit. When Miss
Burton ended the disagreeable affair by kissing the child, there had
been a slight murmur of applause. Significant smiles and a rising
him of voices descanting on the affair in a way not at all complimentary
to the crestfallen Chints family, followed the disappearances of
all the actors in the unexpected scene.





Chapter XII. Miss Mayhew is Puzzled.




"Miss Burton," said Van Berg, as soon as they were alone, "I wish
I could have saved you from this disagreeable experience. I tried
to do so, but was not quick enough. I much blame my slow wits that
I was not more prompt."