"'Yes, sir,' I replied.

"'I am A. M.,' was his next announcement. 'Of course I have received
many letters, but on the whole I was led to consider yours most
favorably. I have made inquiries about you in the neighborhood, and the
answers have been satisfactory. You have no children of your own?'

"'No, sir.'

"'All the better. You would be able to give more attention to this
child.'

"'Is it yours, sir?' I asked

"'Ye-es,' he answered, with hesitation. 'Circumstances,' he continued,
'circumstances which I need not state, compel me to separate from it.
Five hundred dollars a year will be paid for its maintenance.'

"Five hundred dollars! I heard this with joy, for it was considerably
more than my husband was able to earn since his accident. It would make
us comfortable at once, and your father might work when he pleased,
without feeling any anxiety about our coming to want.

"'Will that sum be satisfactory?' asked the stranger.

"'It is very liberal,' I answered.

"'I intended it to be so,' he said. 'Since there is no difficulty on
this score, I am inclined to trust you with the care of the child. But I
must make two conditions.'