May Mason.

girl's arms , soothed her in a few moments . " There , pet will go with auntie now , " and so Miss St . John rode to the depot and saw them into the car . A little finesse was then used , and Miss St . John went back without any formal leave-taking with baby May .

She had a very amusing note from Mr . Gerard a few clays after , with a graphic description of their journey , and of the howling Miss Mason set up when she discovered she had been fooled away from her friends . Evidently her initiation into Masonic arms had not been on the most

gentle terms . She had screamed most persistently during the baptismal rite , and had even slapped Mr . Gerard in the face , when he , thinking she might favour him as the oldest friend she had there , had attempted to pacify her . On the whole , Mr . Gerard feared she had inherited all her mother ' s dislike to the Masons , and imbibed some of her Anti-Masonie , " aunt ' s "

opinions , and for such a little rebel , Miss St . John need not have minded being godmother . He was glad to say at the last , little May was boarded in a good Mason ' s family , and was , all considered , doing well . Rica was much amused by his account , and yet worried . She missed the little

thing greatly . She had found it pleasant to have something to love and care for that loved her back , and had felt several twinges of conscience in that she had given her up so quickly to the Masons , —not that she feared but that they would do well

with her , but would the little one get the kind of love she might have given her 1 She might have kept her . George would not have minded , but it was too late now , and other cares crowded the baby out of her mind for a time . Spring melted into

Summer , and Summer was melting into Autumn . Cities were vacated by all who had means to get out of them , but the heat had found its way to country and seashore , and nobody knew where to flee from it . Mr . and Miss St . John were at

Newport , when the last mentioned received a letter , forwarded from S , from Mr , Gerard about May . The child was ill ; had been for several weeks ; they had taken her into the country where they were staying , hoping the change would be all she needed , but it was not , and he felt he must write Miss St . John without more

delay . The child was grieving herself to death . She kept up , now that she was sick , a constant moan for " Auntie , " and the physician said if they had the least idea who the child wanted , to send for her quickly , if they wished to keep her alive .

He had Mrs . Adams eome for a few clays , thinking she might answer , and the first day , May brightened and seemed better , but the second , she went back to her plaintive moan , and he took the liberty of writing , knowing the interest Miss St .

John had once in the little girl , and feeling sure she must be the one she cried for , to ask her if she would come to make them a visit for baby ' s sake , baby , who was now so dear to them all .

I his was the sum of the letter Rica read . "George , " she said , a moment after , entering her brother ' s room , " I must go to Southport immediately . I have just received a letter from Mr . Gerard ; ttie baby

is sick and they want me . Will you find out about the trains , quick , please 1 " " Southport—Gerard—baby—have you gone crazy Rica 1 " ' No , " she answered , coolly , " you . have doubtless forgotten all about the baby I

sent to the Masons last Spring . I have not time to repeat the story now , so please act without knowledge , or , rather , I do not need to trouble you . " She rang the bell sharply . The hall boy answered in an instant . " Go to the office , and ask when the first train leaves for Southport . "

George scarcely had time to collect his wits , when the boy returned and snapped out , " 5 . 15 , due Southport , 11 . 55 pm . '' She had two hours , time enough to 2 iack her trunk . When the express had whizzed out of the depot with Rica in it , George turned with a prolonged "Whew ! " his

favourite ejaculation , " I wonder if it was not all a trumped up story . Hugh Harrison is coming here to-morrow . " Mr . and Mrs . Gerard welcomed cordiall y Miss St . John , Baby May was asleep when she arrived at midni ght , but earl y in

the morning Rica heard the little weak voice calling " Auntie , " and wondered if it could really be herself the child meant , or if it were not rather the mother , and she had forgotten the mother-name ; anyway she would hasten with her dressing and find out .