Year: 1870

and the little head sank on his should
er.


There. Kitty, he said, that is enough
for tonight. Wake up. dear; say your
prayers, and go off to bed


The child reused up a little, undress-
cd hcrself-for she was handy little
woman-and then came back in her
white night gown, and climbed up
again on her grandfather's knee. and,
folding her hands, repeated a little
prayer. Then she said, Il have not
filed your pipe. grandpa; and going
to corner, she fetched long pipe,
and filed it with tobacco from a pouch
the old man handed her, watched until
he had lit it and then held up her face
to be kissed.


Now You are cumiie, she said.
Kitty will 90 to bed and watch you.
II was not long she watched. In a
few minutes the long fringe dropped
over the eyes. and the child was
asleep.


Either the pipe did not draw we'll
or the smoker was more thoughtful
b than usual for several times he re-
/ lighted 1t, each time in mechanical
WAY. as il he were thinking deeply.
/ He was a man of perhaps tiftyiyc
( years old ; his hair was very gray, but
he had On upright carriage, and some
thing of the air Of an old soldier. His
eye was bright and clear-a kind and
honest, and yet shrcwd eye.
1T is time to try hc said ut last 10
himself: i have put it oil long
enough. She can never he more win
ming than she is now. IL he docs not
take TO her now, he never will. Poor
little pct-poor little pet shall ms,
her sadly. And his iirmly-cut lip
quivescd at the thought. Yes Twill
start tomorrow. he said at last. -lr
it is TO be done, il had better bc duno
at once.


The next morning little bundle
was sustained under the barrow, AMI
with this slight preparation the PAIR
of friends were ready to start upon
their journey; Kitty in the highest
glee at the thought Of seeing pigs and
sheep. and cocks and hens and geese,
and many other things.


1t was a long journey, and they dii
not hurry. but went quietly along,
stopping at various villages'and snail
towns. and earning few pence by the
sharpening of knives, setting of scis.
sors. and patching-up Of lcaky kitchen
utensils.


1t was more than a fortnight after
they left London that they reached
the end Of their journey. quiet village
down in Leicestcrshre. To kitty's
unboundcd astoni shment, her grand
father had left the grinding-machiue
at their halting-place the night before.
He had, too. dressed himself in what
Kitty called his SUNDAY clothes, and
had produced from the bundle dress
for herself which she had never seen
before made Of a light-grav stun, with
blue shoulder-knots. Greatly had
Kitty eXulted and danced over this
new iincTy. but was rather subdued
wheE she was told that she was not TO
put it on until the next evening. How.
ever. as she was dressed in what had
previously been her best frock. she
was content 10 wait, and was indeed
delighted when her grandfather told
her that upon this day they were 10
20 III a carriage-yes. n real carriage.


There was some little astonishment
in the mind of the landlady of the
Barton Arms when hy stopped at the
door, and quiet-looking person. who
by his upright walk and composed
look she took TO be = gentleman,
though a poor one, got out. lifted out
a little girl in broad-brlmmed straw
hat, and with only small bundle in
his hand, entered the door.


Can | have private room, land
lady" he asked. Il shall be stopping
here with my little granddaughter for
two days.


Yes, sir, We have a private room.
Have you any luggage


Il left it at Loughborough,' he said.


Greatly was Kitty surprised at the
unusual grandeur of their apartments.
Only to think of one room TO sit in and
another to sleep in, F-rtunately for
the estimation in which their landlady
held them, she was too much surprised
and awed 10 express her sentiments
until she was alone with her grand
father.


1t was late in the afternoon when
they arrived, and when tea was over
Kitty went 10 bed, more sleepy than
usual after her unwonted excitement
Her grandfather sat by her bedside
until she was asleep, and then returned
to the sitting-room and rang the bell


will you ask the landlady to step
up"


The landlady came up gladly, for
she had been not a little mystified and
puzzled as to whom the gentleman
with the little girl could be, or what
could be their motive in coming to
spend two days in Laverton.


Pray sit down. her guest said when
she entered. Il dare say you are some
what surprised at my coming here but
at the present moment l cannot eX-
plain matters. although, no doubt, you
will know shortly. Will you be kind
enough to answer one Or two questions,
even If you do rot understand my
motive in asking them:'


The landlady expressed her willing
ness to do so.


Sir John Barton's place is close
here, is it not"


.'Quite close, sir; his gate is just at
the entrance TO the village


Has he any servants-his butler,
for instance-who have been in the
| family many years.?