May Mason.

stranger without Miss St . John s consent , sent covertly for that lady , while she kept her visitor in the front room , very much amused by her various pretexts , of the baby being asleep , etc . When at last she saw Rica coming down the street she said ,

with a curtsey , " Miss St . John is coming sir , and I think the baby is awake now . " Baby had on her best '' bib and tucker , " and with rosy cheeks fresh from her morning nap , looked too sweet and innocent to be a MasonRica thought . Mr . Gerard ' s

, memories were of some little angel faces he had seen on canvass , and one little one , dearest of all hid away under the daisies . He took her kindly in his arms , and she , to give him a good hug , wound her fat arms around his neck , and lisped a very

delightful babyish welcome . " What is her name 1 " he asked , turning to Rica . " She has none but Baby . Her mother gave her none ; she expressly wished that she should never be called after her , for fear the curse over her life should continue

with the name . She did not even wish her to keep the name of Gray . It was her fancy , and I suppose we ought to respect it now . " " Certainly , " said Mr . Gerard slowly , " Will you name her then ; as her nearest friendyou will be her god-mother I

, suppose 1 " " I , oh no , if you please , I am an Anti-Mason , " said Rica with a very deep blush as she met the earnest look he turned upon her .

Are you , and why 1 he asked innocentl y , playing with the baby in a manner that showed he was evidently accustomed to little ones . " Oh , I do not know—for various reasons , I am very strong against them , "answered Ricahesitating over her words

, , conscious she was not showing any of the strong points of an enemy . But somehow this elderly , dignified , " lovely " old man , was not one to charge upon with her petty artillery . If it had been Hugh , sitting there instead , she would have felt no

hesitation whatever . On the contrary , would have argued till both were exhausted , and then not yielded so much as she had in the first words to this grey-haired enemy . "' I hope you will not be so strong against us , in the future , Miss St . John . I

hardly think you consider us even now quite heathen , or you would not have turned this little one over to our keeping so readily . You are not afraid to trust her to us are yon 1 " "No , certainly not , " she smiled at the

question . " Then you must believe there is some good in us 1 " " Yes , some good , " she said slowly . " But about baby ' s name , I have a fancy to have you name her . I want you to

keep interested , you see , in the Masons . " " I am very fond of the child , and shall always be interested in her welfare . And if I must suggest a name , what do you say to May Mason ? She was born in the month of May . Her mother died , and she is now adopted in May . It is an eveutfnl month for her . It will also carry out her mother ' s

wish iu losing the name of Gray . '' " May Mason , it is a very good idea and shall be carried out . I see I have only a half-an-hour before the train leaves . Can she be ready 1 " Baby was carried out to be made ready , and Mr . Gerard turned to Riea , "lam

very glad to have had this meeting with you , Miss St . John , and only wish I had a longer time so that I could convert you to Masonry . " She shook her head . "I know I could , " he laughed pleasantly , " and whenever you come to the city , if you will

let me know , my wife and self will be very happy to call and give you full accounts of baby May . " " I shall be glad to meet you and your wife , " said Rica cordially , " and hear of baby ; and—I am not afraid of being converted .

He laughed . " Do not be to sure . You have my address 1 " " Yes . " Baby , or we may as well call her now , May Mason , came back ready for the journey . She had looked upon the unusual bustle about her , as a sort of holiday fun ,

and had been very joyous , till it came to going herself . Whether the carriage frig htened her , or the by-bying , more serious than usual , made her feel instinctively she was leaving her old and only friends , she sobbed and cried as though her heart would break . Miss St . John stood it as long as she could , and then taking the child from the