Part 23 (1/1)

They stopped before a quiet cottage, and Fred knocked. In the little parlour a girl came to them. She was little, not quite up to Fred's shoulder. His eyes shone as he looked down upon her brown head. There were lines about her mouth, as if she had known sorrow that had blossomed into sweetness. The young man took her hand. ”Uncle 'Liph,” he said, ”this is Alice.”

She came forward with winning frankness, and took the old man's hand in hers. The tears stood in his eyes again.

”This is Alice,” he said; ”this is Alice.” Then his gaze travelled to Fred's glowing face, and, with a sob in his voice that was all for joy, he added, ”Alice, I 'm glad you're a-livin'.”

THE END