The deserted cabin in the woods was falling into dilapidation; the door, sagging on its hinges, creaked at every gust; wild beasts had stolen within to make it their haunt; and from under the broken roof chittering bats arose as night came on. Yet it was an interesting spot to a little party of riders who cantering through the woods under the swaying mosses which draped the forest trees, paused before the hut one afternoon. Stephen Hayward looked at it with curiosity; Christine turned from it with a shiver. “It is a dreadful place,” she said. “It brings up to me all that dreary time; all your terrible experiences; all the long waiting. Let us ride on.” “Do you remember this little old place?” Neal was saying. “Yes, and I really have an affection for it,” answered Alison. “It brings back so vividly that day when you came from the war and when you told me--things.” “We’ll have to fix it up,” said Neal. “It will be about on the edge of our land, you see; the boundary line comes just to the woods beyond.” “I am rather glad of it,” she returned, “for all this is familiar ground, and the scene of my adventures. Some of them were not so very pleasant, though, for here I was set upon by the Blatant Beast,” she sighed. “You needn’t remember him any more.” “No, for I have a pleasanter recollection. It was just beyond here that I met my knight pricking along. This whole place is full of the material from which I made my dreams, and although I don’t live in dreamland nowadays, it all comes back to me when I come this way. The others are away ahead of us. We must catch up with them. What do you suppose Louisa will name her baby, Neal? I really am quite curious on the subject.” “Laws, child, I can’t tell. What do you reckon I know about naming babies? If it was a horse, now, I might give a guess.” Alison laughed. “We’ll soon find out,” she said, “but we must hurry or Christine will get ahead of me.” They hastened their gait, and before long arrived at Louisa’s door. The place was neat and orderly; a border of flowers bloomed each side the walk; an open gallery had been added to the house, and there they found Louisa already welcoming Steve and Christine. In her arms she held her little baby with its fuzzy red head and blinking blue eyes. It was the first time Alison and Christine had seen the little one since Hannah Maria had brought it in her arms to show them when it was but a few days old. “We thought we should never get here, to see you, Lou,” said Alison. “Since the boys got back we have been so popular that we have had no time for anything but company. I have been just dying to get hold of that baby. Do let me take her? What shall you call her? Louisa, I suppose.” “No, Ira says he’s not going to have another Louisa in the family. I’m first and last with him, he says.” “Now, is that a compliment or isn’t it?” said Alison, taking the baby and looking down at it with interest. “I reckon he meant it for one,” said Louisa smiling.