Year: 1876

enjoying the pretty picture, hesitating to


wake her, yet fearing that gruff halo


from old Dan might do it too suddenly.


Somehow he hated to have her go, for the
gloomy foundry seemed an enchanted sort
of place this morning. with pure Heaven
and earth outside, and wiiili;, the ..little
mate" whom he felt a strong desire tc
keep "always alongside" tor something
better than luck's sake.


| He was smiling to himself over the
thought, vet half ashamed to own how it
had grown and strengthened in night.
| when Lefty opened wide a pair of eyes
full OF the peace sleep brings and the soft
| ustre that comes after tears. Involuntari-
| y the man drew back and waited silently
tor her to speak. She looked bewldered
for moment, then remembered, and
sprang up, full Of the relief and fresh graf
itude that came with her first waking
thought.


"How long I've slept How very kind
you were to me! can 60 now, if you
will start me right"


You are heartily welcome | can take
you home at once, unless you'd rather
wait for DAN" he answered, with quick
look toward the door, as if already Jealous
of the venerable Daniel.


"l'd rather 90 before any one comes
But perhaps you ought not to leave yeti
| wouldn't like to take you from your du-
ty," began Lefty, looking about for her
hat.


duty be-hanged I'm going to see
you safe home; if you will let me- Here
is your hat. | dried it; but it don't look
quite shipshape somehow" And taking
the shabby little object from the nail
where it hung, he presented it with such
respectful care that a glimmer OF the old
mirthlulness cameinto Letty's face, as she
said, surveying it with much disiavor;


ut IS almost as bad as the one | gave
you; but it must do


II have got that old thing up TO my
place now. Keep it for luck Wish had
one for you. Hold on Here is q tippet-
nice and warm. Have it for hood. You
will find it cold outside"


He was so intent on making her com
Portable that Lefty could not refuse, and
tied on the tippet. while he refiled the cup
with hot coffee, carefully saved for her.


Little Red Riding Hood Blest if you
amt" he exclaimed admiringly, as he
turned to her again. and saw the sweet
face in its new head gear


''But you are not the volt she answer
ed, with a smile like sunshine, bending to
drink from the cup he held.


AS she lifted her head, the blue eyes and
the black exchanged again the subtle
glance otsympathy that made them friends
before only now the blue ones looked up
full of gratitude and the black ones down
soft with pity. Neither spoke; but Lefty
stopped, and, gathering old Sally in her
arms, kissed the friendly creature, then
followed her guide to the door.


How beautiful F." she cried, as the sun
came dazzling down upon the snow, that
hid all dark and ugly things with veil
of purity


''Looks kind of brid |, don't it ?" said
the man, taking long breath of the frosty
air and Strengthening himself up, as if
anxious to look his best by daylight


He never had looked better, in spite OF
the old coat and red shirt; for the glow OF
the furnace fire still seemed to touch his
brown face, the happy visions of the night
still shone in his eyes, and the protective
kindness OF generous nature gave dig
nifty to the rough figure, us he strobe into
the snow and stretched his hand to Lefty,
saying, cheerily


Pretty deep. But hold on to me and
III get you through Better take my
hand. l washed 1t a-purpoSe


Lefty did take it in both her little ones,
aud they went away together through the
deserted streets, feeling as If they were
the only pair alive in the still white world
that looked SO lovely in the early sun
shine.


The girl WAS surprised to find how
short the way seemed for, in spite of
drifts. she got on bravely. with strong
arm to help and a friendly voice to encour-
age her Yet when she reached the last
corner she stopped and said, with a sud-
den shyness which he understood and lik-
ed


I'D best 90 on alone now. But I'm
very grateful to you! Please tell me your
name, Id love to know who my friend is
though never shall forget his kindness"


Nor Yours Dick Stone is my name.
But I'd rather you call me your tramp till
we get something BETTER" he answered,
with laugh in his eyes, as he bent to-
ward her tor hearty shake of the slender
hand that had grown warm in his


II will! Goodbye, good-bye." And
suddenly remembering how they parted
before, lefty blushed like rose and ran
away as fast as the drifts would let her.


And III cal you my Lefty some day,
if I'm not much mista Aen,'' Dick said to
himself with decided nod, SIS he went
back to the foundry, feeling that the world
looked more ''sort OF bridal" than ever.


He was not mistaken, tor when spring
buddeQ his dream came true, and in the
little sewing girl who bound him with ~
siken thread so soft and strong it never
broke. he found an anchor that held him
fast to happiness and home To Lefty
something wonderful h: ppened at last.
The Prince came when most she needed
him; and, though even when beggar's
rags fell off his only crown was the old
hat, his royal robes red flannel and tus-
tain, his scepter Il sledge hammer. she
knew and loved him. for


1.-The man was man for a that