A Modern Cinderella

They entered the parlor. Marilla took off her hat and coat, it was so warm indoors. She had on a new frock, a curious blue that was very becoming. Her cheeks were a lovely pink, her eyes full of expectancy.

Miss Armitage came down the back stairway and through the library. Marilla gave one cry and was in her arms.

No one had won her away, then. During these days she had had many thoughts about the child’s future. She had felt jealous of the new found relatives and their love, of Dr. Richards’ devotion, of the happy times when she had been counted out. Work had failed to inspire, evenings had been lonely, dreary. Oh, she would never let her go away again unless she went with her. She would beseech the law to make the child hers —

“Oh, fairy godmother!” The charming, joyous tone that showed the child’s certainty of a warm welcome. “It has all been so lovely, but I wanted you so. I wanted you to see the girls and their father who is the loveliest, no not quite the loveliest,” and her eyes shone with a tender radiance, the flush made her beautiful. “For, fairy godmother, I have a father now who will love me and care for me, and I am filled to the brim with happiness – it is better than the fortune. I could hardly wait to tell you. Oh, please be glad for my sake.”

“A father?” she repeated, in a breathless tremulous sort of way.

“Yes,” said Dr. Richards, and there was a strange sort of assurance in his tone. He seemed to have changed mysteriously – there is a vigor, a power and withal a sweet satisfaction in his face that gives her a pang she does not understand.

“Yes,” he repeated. “The fortune is all right. I have been made her guardian, but that did not satisfy me. I have taken out papers of adoption, she is my child, my little little daughter and she has a new, legal, lawful name – Marilla Cinderella Richards.”

“Oh, oh!” The pathetic cry unnerved him.

“Dear fairy godmother it can’t make any difference in my love for you. I loved you first, you know. I shall always love you, but I want us to live together and be as happy as they are at the Warrens, and I love him, my new father, so much. When you have something of your very own it fills you everywhere like beautiful music. I’ve been learning how sweet and dear it can be. Oh, fairy godmother, I want you both. It would break my heart to lose either of you. Oh, fairy godmother, can’t you love him; can’t you, won’t you marry him and let us all live together?”

There was a penetrating sweetness in the pleading, but she saw the red of surprise mount to the very edge of the man’s hair, and almost a frown settle between the eyes. Her face dropped to the silken soft head and she felt the child’s heart beat tumultuously. To make the two who loved her happy – to have them for her own–

She reached out her hand – it was her right hand. He caught it and pressed it to his lips with a fervor that thrilled every pulse of her being.

It was not the tie of kindred blood, but that divine immortal kindred of love, and as he clasped his arms about them both they were Father, Mother and Child.

And so, Marilla had not only the Fairy Godmother, but the Prince as well.