The Girl Next Door

uttered Janet. "What

ave been trying to correspond with Cecily, and she's going to demand an exp

thing to harm us! But I am anxious for poor little Cecily

g!" moaned Marcia. "We've just succeeded in maki

while, at least," comforted Janet. "And what's more, I'm not going to worry ab

wondering and wondering about what the coming interview might mean, and blaming herself a thousand times for placing Cecily in

emarked Miss Minerva, anxiously. "The sun is v

heir plans. "I didn't sleep very well, but a walk in the fresh air will do

ng sun beat down upon them as they stood there, and passers-by eyed them curiously. Each was pe

raid!" acc

l prove it!" She raised her hand sudd

followed by the creaking of a key turning in the lock of the gate. Janet gripped Marcia by the hand, and with pounding hearts they stood together, while the gate slo

hut the gate. It was not until they were inside the house, standing in the dim hall with the front door closed behind them,

he began, "because I understand that you have b

have become acquainted with her." It was not a brilliant reply, but, for the life of her, s

I also understand that lately you have been dr

er trepidation, how wonderfully sweet

e." The worst was out-now let the blow f

" said Miss Ben

ered a startl

r a week," the lovely voice continued

n astonishment. Cecily ill-and Miss Benedict actu

ing serious!" exclaim

She has been so-poorly, and has-has evidently been so anxious to-to see you, that I thought I would-surprise her by asking you to come and-vis

turn events had taken to reply. "Why-we

e paused, knocked, and then entered. They followed, dimly perceiving a little form in the bed, for the shutters, of course, were closed. As they entered af

hesitatingly to the bewildered child. "Perhaps it will make you-feel better."

they stared a

at length, "what does

a thing as seeing you-her

a. "We found a note from her tied to

she was-oh! so good to me! I could hardly believe it! She bathed my head, and sat by me, and put her cool hands on my forehead. It really seemed as if she-cared! And I fel

" breathed Marcia, in

never said a thing more about it. I didn't dream that she

: "Oh, Cecily, we've been so worried about you! We couldn't think wh

ime. My head aches a lot, and every once in a while

ing the conditions. "But anyway, it isn't serious," she hurried on, after an embarrassed pause. "And you ought to have some quinine. I wonder if Miss Benedict would let us get it for you. I'l

notes and gifts, but how guilty she had always felt abo

e boudoir-cap," she ended, "and

" they bo

"but-but I felt as if I wanted to do something for her

a. "Was she pleased? I can't im

a minute. Then she said: 'Thank you, child. I-I neve

med Janet. "You thought sh

ily; "but lately-

at last. It was a large, square room, furnished with heavy chairs and an old-fashioned bureau and bed. Every shutter was fastened and the slats tightly

ct if we can't open these shu

shutters," cried Janet, suddenly. "I should think you

nce, when I first came, and she didn't like it at all! She said

I'm sure she'd let you now!" And, true to her word, she turned to M

Miss Benedict," she began brave

erious?" The melodious voice

ly get over it quicker if she had a lot of fresh air and sunshine.

tched Miss Benedict with bated breath. But instead of

of so much daylight myself, but Cecily may have it here, if she chooses." And following up her wor

g

us gloom, Janet and Marc

to see the sun again!" But Miss Benedict, with an a

cily by too long a call. Hearing Miss Benedict's footstep in the hall below, they took their leave, promising to come agai

re was no grim, forbidding jailor, such as they had imagined the mistress of "Benedict's Folly" to be. Instead, they had encountered a gentle, almost winning, little pers

t would do her lots of good to come in and visit us once in a while? Marcia's

ffening and a determined note creeping into her soft voice. "I

rds admitted of no argument. Janet and Marcia followed her meekly and in silence dow

entured. "If she has malaria, she ought t

xplain to her-" and here her manner became confused-"that-I-er-do not make calls or-or receive them, but this is just-just for the sake of the child." It was plain to the girls t

Cecily. She is such a dear, and we've been terribly worried abou

is no relative of mine!" came

iend," stuttered Marcia, embarrassed, "

strange, flat tone, as if repeating a lesson.