Year: 1870

hand containing few dalnties with which
she hoped to tempt the sicks girls palate,
she followed the child across the the city
toward c. street-a locality hitherto ter
ra tncognita to her.


In half dilapidated wooden house, in a
narrow court, she found the object of her
search. She went up two flights of stains
and entered back room lighted by one
window. The atmosphere struck her, in
spite of her warm attire. with sudden
chill. -,5


Evidently the sun never came there. The
gloom and cheeressness, was only relieved
by the scrupulous neatness which prevailed
everything. Mrs Stirling had already no.
ticed this quality in the attire of the child,
which, though cheap, and poor, and patched,
was as immaculate in its cleanuess as her
own.


At the window, attempting to sew, the
older sister sat, but she was evidently very
i'll. Every now and then spasm of cough
ing seized her. which compelled her to lay
down her work and clasp both her hands to
her side, while the paleness of her thin
cheek flushed into hectic Mrs. Stirling
had not seen her before since spring, the
work returned that morning having been
sent to her by servant She went to her
and sat down in a chair that stood near.


~ our sister said you were sick, and so
came to see if could be of any use to you,
she said in gentle tones, which, of them
selves, carried certain comfort with them.
You have changed terribly since spring.
l must hear all about it; but want you
should eat what have brought you; here
is some jelly, and a bit of cold chicken-they
will do you good"


The poor girl looked at the viands with
the involuntary greediness of hunger Then
she blushed deeply, and said in low voice /:


Il am very grateful, madam; but if you
please, | will wait until you leave me. Al
low me at present to attend to you


mo, indeedl'' Mrs. Stirling spoke in
her pretty absolute fashion. Il am not go
ing yet. | want to talk with you awhile,
and l shall not do so until you have taken
something TO strengthen you. Little Jane
has lunched already"


So the gay, bright lady sat and waited
feeling, in the new prospect of being active
" useful, 4 genuine glow of delight When
the girl had finished her generous meal and
taken up her work again, Mrs. Stirling be-
gan 10 talk to her.


lis this consumption, Annie?" She
asked. gently, your cough alarms me."


No, ma am, am very sure it is nothing
OF the kind yet. There is no consumption
in our family. My father was country
minister, aud had a strong and healthy con-
stitution. He died young, but it was from
violent fever, caught in attendance on a
sick stranger. | think it was grief that
made my mother follow him in three months.
She had always been delicate, though not
sickly, and she lacked the strength it re
| quired to live and suffer 1t is seven years
since she died, on the very day little Jane
was born


How old were you then p
Fifteen, and there were no living chill
| dren between US two. -


And have you supported yourself and
| her ever since?"


oh! no. Ny fathers books sold fo1
enough to keep Us some time, and my aunt
who lived here, brought US to Boston. W.
both lived with her She took care of Jant
and worked in shop, and earned enough
to buy her clothes and help Aunt Marthi
with the living. 1t is only since she died
three years ago, that | have been at al
alone with Jenny


You came out of the shop then?"


Yes, because | could not have Jenn
there with me, and she had no one else t
see to her, and indeed | have made NOR
money since; have embroidered so much.


But surely you have suffered more tha
usual this summer ?"


'Ohl yes, ma am. The ladies' that
work for are mostly out of town in the sum
mer, and so winters try to save something
to help me through. But last winter wa
so hard that | had not as mitch work as u:
ual aud this summer We have not been yer
well off. | had to give up the comfortabi
room | used to have, because | could nc
earn enough to pay for it,and l suppose th
dampness here has not just agreed wit


me"


She tried to smile, bui the tears came il
stead. Mrs. Stirling took her hand with
comforting pressure.


Don't cry Better times are coming [
you now l am sure can influence you
great deal more work. You shall hav


enough to do, and we must see that 70
move out of this unhealthy place.
Sister Annie smiled sadly.
THE landlord has seen TO that, madam


can only stay here three days longer. II
> wants to let the room to tenant who wi
= pay more; and l have been troubled ft
fear I should not be able to go out and fin
e another house"


We'll, you must not feel anxious. Ju
leave that till tomorrow. Then if you al


not able to go, will find place for yol
$ 1t can be a difficult matter to iind one
r good as this At any rate, tomorrow 70
, shall see me again; and, in the mean tin


IL eel Il