It was pleasant to be able to pay his bills when they became due, to be able to help his poorer neighbors, to be able to afford for himself little luxuries such as he had long been without.

The greatest happiness he had now in life was his love for little Madeline.

The hold she had taken of him was marvelous from the first moment she held out her baby-hands until the last in which he saw her she was his one dream of delight.

At first he had visited Ashwood as a matter of duty; but, as time passed on those visits became his dearest pleasures.

The child began to know him, her lovely little face to brighten for him; she had no fear of him, but would sit on his knee and lisp her pretty stories and sing her pretty songs until he was fairly enchanted.
Madaline was a lovely child.