Year: 1875

me speaking. but something ~ me. "She
been i'll lopg7" l said, nodding towards
her mother.


Months" she said with tears starting
in her pretty eyes; "but," she added
brightly, Il shall have enough with this
to get her good medicines aud things she
can fancy J" and as looked at her, some.
thing in me said


God bless you, my dear l hope you
will !" aud the next minute was going
down stairs. and calling myself fool.


They thought | didn't know at home,
but | did; there was the wife going over
and over again to Benefits place aud
all sorts of little nice things we're made
and taken there. often used to see them
talking about it, but took no notice
and that artful scoundrel my boy Luke,
used to pay the half crown every week
out of his own pocket. after going to fetch
it from the widows.


And all the time told myself | didn't
like it. for | could see that Luke was
changed, and always thinking Of that girl
"A girl not hall good enough for him.
remembered being poor myself, and l
hated poverty, and used to speak harsh.
y to Luke and the wife. and feel very
bitter


At last came an afternoon. when 1
knew there was something wrong. The
wife had gone out directly after dinner
she was going to see sick woman-l
knew who it was, bless you !-and Luke
was fidgeting about, not himself; and a,
last be totk his hat and went out.


They might have cou6ded in me-" |
said bitterly but all the time knew that
| wouldn't let them. They'll be 81 end
irg mouey-throwing it away. l know
they've spent pounds on them already"


AT last | got in such way that call
ed down our foreman, left him in charge,
and took my hat and went after them.


Everything was very quiet in Benefits
place, for a couple Of dirty, detected.
looking women. one Of whom was in ar.
rears with me. had sent the chi that
played in the court right away because Of
the noise, ind were keeping guard so that
tnev snOulu not come Dack.


went up the stairs softly, and all was
very still, only as | got nearer to the
room l could hear bitter, wailing cry,
and then opened the door gently aud
went in.


Luke was there. standing with his head
hent by the sewing machine; the wife sui
10 chair, and Oh her knees. with ber
face buried in the wife's lap, was the
poor girl. crying as if her little heart
would break While on the bed, with all
the look Of pain goue cut Of her face, lay
The widow-gone TO meet her husband,
where pain aud sorrow are no more.


couldn't see very plainly, for there
was mist like before my eyes; but |
know Luke flushed up as he took a step
forward, as it to protect the girl, and the
wife looked at me in frightened way.


But there was no need for something
that wasn't me spoke, and that in very
gentle way, as stepped forward, raised
the girl up, and kissed her pretty face be-
tore laying her helpless head upon my
shoulder. and smoothing her soft brown
hair.


Mother says that something from
within me. II think there's room in the
nest at homo for this poor, forsaken little
bird. Luke, my boy, will you go and
fetch a cab2 Mother will see to whs,
wants doing here"


My boy gave a sob as he caught my
hand in his. and the next moment he did
what he had not done for years-kissed
me on the eheek-before running out Of
the room, leaving me with my darling
nesting in my breast.


| said my darling for she has been
the sunshine of our home ever since-a
pale, wintry sunshine while the sorrow
was fresh. but spring and summer now.


Why. bless her look at her. I've felt
ashamed sometimes to think that she, b
lady by birth, should come down to such
life. making newell, no, it's US now,
for Luke's partner-ro end of money by
L-- -i---- ~~ra Rnt kha's hannv think
ing her husband that is to be. the finest
follow under the sun aud let me tell you
there's many a gentleman not so well of
as my boy will be. even if the money has
all come out Of a queer trade.