Year: 1878

80 | know that she must have very
bad temper by the way in which she
wrote. But | was willing to try the
place, for it is so necessary. My mother
died. four months ago-ngazng at her
sable garments of some cheap material
and | have been living with my aunt,
Mrs. CrOnin, ever since. She is the only
relative have in the world, and is very
poor herself, and | have been trying all
these months TO find place, and now just
as found ito what shall do ?" burst
ing into bitter sobbng and hiding her face
on the arm OF the old sofa.


lelt so sorry for her, the poor, pref
ty young thing, all alone in the world;
and even Bobs eyes were full of tears as
he looked down at her, tor be had come
round to the head of the sofa, as if he
wanted to say some plying word, but the
word stuck in his throat


II wish could get you to Birkdale,
Miss he said at last, but | can't see
the road for the snow in my eyes, or Id
put YOU on one of the horses and we
would trv it, But it cant be done, Miss"


Il am goiug to Birkdale on business"
| said" and will see Lady Arrowscrott
myself, if she should be so mean as to
refuse TO take you when you tell her why
NOu NptIu iOl hC' yOui 4.
she should refuse me, will see that you
find home for the present with friend
of mine, Mrs. WILDER who may want
governess for her two little boys. Her
temper is of different order from that
gloried in by the Lady Arrowscroft, can
tell YOU"


80 sir. you are too kind to me. How
can | thank you ?" she cried irving to
L. l.,, -. Lnr eli al.
She then told us that her name was
Charity Wing, and | told her mine
then remembered the satchel | carried
which Louisa had insisted on filling with
every kind of food, much against my
wishes. Twas 10th to start out with such
a heavy supply on such short journey,
but Louisa insisted that would eat it all.
and she seemed so pleased at getting
ahead of Johanna, who came with a
satchel Just as was leaving the house.
that | could not refuse her But when
johanna begged me to take with me as
well the provisions she had arranged for
me. was obliged to gently but firmly
refuse, much to her anger, and the cause
of some furious remarks against the more
fortunate Louisa. | was very glad now
that had been obliged to take the full
satchel, for its contents were none too
much for three hungry people. and when
saw how eagerly the pretty Charity ate the
sandwiches and cake. | felt very sorry
| that had not brought the other satchel.
and so given pleasure TO Johanna, and
comfort to my pretty companion. 1t
seemed to us all as if daylight would
never come. Fortunately the wood in the
cellar was sufficient to Keep fire all night,
and we did not suffer from cold. But it


was three o'clock the next day before
horses reached us from Birkdale, and it
was six O'Clock when we entered that
cheerful. little village.


OF course Lady Arrowscroft's s carriage
was not in town. and took Miss Wing at
once to Mrs. Wilburs. That good little
woman received us warmly, and when |
| told heriCharity's story she burst into tears.
| She told US that Miss Forrest was already
at the Manor House. installed as governess
| to the two little girls. and therefore it was
of no use for Miss Wing to apply, she
| would only be met with rudeness and con-
| tempt. Charity commenced crying silent
| " when she heard this, and did not Won
der at it. took Mrs. Wilbur aside mo-
| ment, and told her that if she would keep
the poor child with her for few months,
as governess for the two little boys |


would pay the expenses.


| Dear Mr.. Trot," said little Mrs. Will
bur, You know that ] would pay her my
self if | could afford it, but cannot, and
so il YOU want to do this charitable thing,
| will lend you my aid. | know you are
rich enough to afford it."


| We then arranged that she should pro-
pose to Charity TO remain as governess for
Charlie and Percy. and thus she should
not know that her salary was to come from
nv pocket and not from Mrs. Wilbur's,
and | furthermore stipulated that she
should be led to believe that | was a poor
man.


| OF course the poor little girl, who was
only nineteen was overjoyed to find that
Mrs. Wilbur really wanted governess
and would keep her in that capacity, and


her pretty face shone with JOY as she
thanked me for what had done. l left
her happy in her new duties when | went


back to my dreary home a week later.
OF course | never mentioned to either
Lousr or Johanna that had had such
remai kable adventure, although they ques-
toned me very closely, being always ter
Iiblv afraid that | would be snapped up


while off on one OF my many business
rips. | chuckled to myself at the thought
| of how | could make their eyes start from
their sockets il | chose to mention how


had beiliended Charity Wing.


1t was Il little odd, but business took me


very frequently to Birkdale during the next
four months. and did not mind the jour-
nal at all. for always saw Charity at the
end of it.


That dear little girl was always over
joyed to see me, which seemed strange
enough to me, for knew was ugly, and
could count thirty-six years of my life.


But if strange it was none the less sweet.


for had never before known what love


was and found out very soon that loved


little Charity Wing.


Bob used to smile grimly when he drove


me to Birkdale, remarking in his dry man.


ner that my face was growing familiar in


those regions and that perhaps l was


thinking of buying property in Birkdale,
| and had to see after il every few weeks