268 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
that when the deed was placed in their hands 
it was a long time before the mother and Alice 
could be made to understand that the matter 
was a substantial reality—that the paper placed 
in their keeping was a bond-jide deed of the 
pretty brown cottage, all neatly furnished for 
their immediate occupancy. When it was all 
fully comprehended, they were fairly dazed 
with joy, while their tears and thanks be¬ 
came so profuse that Doctor Dean was fain 
to withdraw to avoid the overstrain of his 
own sympathies. 
Now, it so happened that the two young 
friends were fishing on this selfsame day on 
the shore near the widow’s cabin ; and as Mil- 
ton had been so much engaged as to prevent 
any arrangements for the intended visit, and 
their vacation was nearing its close, it was 
thought best to waive all formality and call at 
the Farleys’ before they recrossed the lake. 
Accordingly, they landed near by, and were 
soon at the door of the shanty seeking admit¬ 
tance. As they entered they were at once 
aware that something unusual was taking place. 
The mother was seated by the lounge on which 
reclined her afflicted daughter, both locked in a 
