Mrs. Riddell was astonished when she became acquainted with the true relations of the nurse and her patient, but, having become quite enamoured of the former (who by-the-by was now become both a discreet and amiable matron), she readily fell into a subordinate position in the household, taking her orders quite gladly, and having a special care for little Aleck. Mrs. Wilkie has now an assortment of boys and girls, Aleck being entered as a law student at McGill University and the others being still at school; she seldom thinks of the past, preferring to look forward to a bright and happy future. Still at times her mind will revert to scenes of yore, and she shudders as she thinks of the bitter experiences she has had, attributing most if not all of them, rightly or wrongly, to her mother-in-law. CHAPTER XII. A Deserted Wife, or Model Woman One hot summer’s day I received a visit from a young and beautiful woman attired in fashionable costume. She told me she was desirous of obtaining accommodation for a couple of months as her husband was in England and the time of her accouchement was at hand. She was the bearer of a letter which ran as follows-- LONDON, England, August 6 18-- _To whoever is with my precious wife in her hour of trial_: MY DEAR MADAM--I cannot refrain, as the husband of the most lovable wife on earth from expressing my ardent wish and prayer that all may be well and that you will remind her that I am most tenderly loving and thinking of her and shall pray hourly for her, but whatever be the issue, let all be done for her happiness and comfort. I will part with all I have rather than that she or her infant shall want anything. Oh how I wish I were near to love and comfort her. If her dear infant is spared all well and boy or girl I shall be quite as pleased if my idol be well. _Let all give way_ if need be for my precious wife’s sake, and on no account let her life be endangered, even for the sake of the child, if such crisis should occur, which Heaven forbid. I can say no more, but I wish I could enclose my hand and heart if I could comfort your patient. Of course I shall be terribly anxious to know that all is well; will you kindly have a postal card ready just to say “all is well” if so it be; never mind more till my poor wife can put her own name to a letter. God reward you for an act that I know the angels envy you, for your charge is a “friend of Jesus,” and my only friend on earth. Yours in intensity of anxious interest, P. MERRICK. My address is Sunny Hill Avenue, London, E.