The Virginia star., 1882-12-16


more amongst her ladies"
"I'll go off TO her now, and see if she
has heard Of anything"
you'll be good, avournesn, while
I'm away" said she, kissing the two
half-starved mites in the corner.
"An' ye won't cry, or disturb the
poor sick daddy"
"I'll be back, Jim, my heart. in less
than no time.
Faith IN Divine help and patient en-
durance of suffering are traits well
known to those whose experience hes
among the lower orders.
Poor Jim had full share of both.
Nevertheless, when his wife had gone,
he broke down miserably.
'God help her!" he said, looking
after her retreating figure; "and God
forgive me for deceiving her, and MAXI
ing up stories about getting strong and
well, when 1 know as sure as that I'm
lying stretched here, that the never
stroke of work I'll do again in this
world"
"My heart is weak from fasting, and
the longing and the craving are killing
me-"
Meanwhile poor Mary was hurrying
along through the streets with anxious
footsteps, speculating on the possibility
Of her friend having found any work
among her pupils.
Miss West was music teacher.
Though but nineteen, she was the
main prop and stay of widowed invalid
mother and young sisters; earning by
her daily toll that which eked out the
pittance left OF better days, and made
by frugal contrivance the two ends
meet.
But none are so poor as not to be
able to help in some way those worse
off than themselves.
The young girl had pleaded success
fully for Mary, and had procured en-
ployment that had been the only sup
port of the family during Jim's illness.
She was going to breakfast when her
protegee entered.
The table was already spread, and
she was just preparing to attack, with
the healthy appetlte of youth, and the
knowledge that many busy hours would
pass before she would again see food;
good slice of thick bread-and- butter.
The thickness, be it observed, was
referable to the bread only, the butter
spread thereon being limited to an al
most imperceptible ''scrape."
"Ah, Is that you, Mary?" said she
with the bright pleasant smile that
! alwAy ~ scanned, Mary declared, to ''rise
her heart out VI trouble"
IL am afraid L have no orders fSr
Yoq this morning; but have got a pkw
shortly DC a'---s .s9s...s-.... 4lAat tt,era.,a
s2 tasagsssr Gasgof ma9 81 5oE Fsqairea, gDni ana
may have good ,sN-'- So g'.,.- '-~'s~
! long
Poor Mary wrung her hands together
under her cloak, straining them hard in
the agony of her disappointment that
she strove to keep down and hide from
her young benefactress.
Very bitter was the pang of deferred
hope; but she would not seem to be
ungrateful.
After a few words and cup of tea
With heavy heart Mary turned away,
retracing her steps along the passage.
Remembering something, however,
before reaching the hall door, she came
back, and reappeared in the room where
the little governess was tying her bon
net-strings, preparing to set ont.
81 forgot tAis," she said.
"Sure, I'm losing my mind entirely
with the fret that's on it.
"God help me! my burden is making
nae foolish"
Coming along this morning. seen
this on the flags, and put it in my pocket,
thinking maybe if it was clean, one of
your little sisters might fancy it for her
curiosity-box.
"Let me wipe the mud off it for you,
Miss"
''It shines bright and beautiful now
"a bit of glass like"
A moments scrutiny of the object
sparkling on the womans outstretched
palm, and Miss West cried ont;
''Give 1t to me quick, and wait"
snatched it from her, Mary staring in
astonishment at her vehemence, and
rushed upstairs to her mothers room.
"What is it, dear?" said the startled
invalid as she dashed in.
"Mhatever is the matter?"
ooh, mother, look!"