Year: 1870

answered Flora.


Instantly Elinor asked to be conduct
ed to her and leading Claire by the hand,
she entered Greta's chamber, going to
the bed, she threw her arms around the
gipsy's neck calling her blessed, and
promising to be dear sister to her for
ever


"And can stay with Birdie" cried
Greta in surprise. Now my pain is all
gone"


"And oh Greta said Claire, we will be
so happy when you get we'll :"


'I'H soon be up now, my birdie, twas
only grief was killing me. Lady don't
trouble yourself about me give me a
servants place in your house and will
be content to be a house dweller for
BRIDES sake. She has been dear to me
as my own since first hushed her grief
on my breast. :"


"Dont call me lady said Mrs. Julian
reproachfully, call me sister, or friend,
for you are lady and beautiful too. My
darling has been kept pure and refind
under your guidance as when she left
me. You have none of the faults of
your race ~


''NIy mother was a lady," said Greta.
t'She left her English home to follow my
father, who was king among the gip-
sizes, and though our wandering life was
against it, she taught me to be good and
virtuOus. I married one of my tribe
and was happy till my mother and hus-
band We're both taken from me by a
malignant fever. Then all the world
was dead forest to me till Birdie came
and warmed my heart to life again. 1
love her with the same passionate love
had for my own child, who died years
ago. She is all the world to me, but
lady I was sorrowful because feared
| you would be jealous of her love for me,
and send me from her."


Glove her as you will dear Greta said
Elinor, would be wicked to deny you
that privilege after your care, in pre-
serving her from harm. The devotion
of both our lives could scarce repay
Iyou."


CIaire's arms were around GTeta's
neck, and she said with the naiviti of
childhood, ooh mamma, let me love
Greta ever SO much till she is well and
then I will love you the most. Now
which do 1 love the best Are you hap
py now sweet Greta?'


"Oh mamma you don't known how
often Greta has done without her sup
per or dinner to keep me alive and be-
fore she was sick was always clean and
neat and while she was so ill she fasten-
ed me to strap around her waist be-
cause she was so afraid would stray off,
for then we staid in an old barn and a
good woman came every day and fed
me and brought Greta soup"


'What devotion murmured ElinOr
! Nothing 1 could do for her would be toe
much"


Greta had fallen asleep and Claire
stole from her side. to her mothers arms
which were Outstretched to receive her


Mamma, cried the affectiOnate child
my heart is so happy. L love you, oh
so much and just think Cousin Flora
is the queen. Oh 1 must run down and
kiss my Uncle Charley and Aunt Eva
again. 1 am so happy. was such a
poor beggar and nOw-Oh nanny,
have been so hungry and Pm ashamed
to eat all I want Is it wrong to eat all
the time"


ayes my dear said ElinOr, smiling but
that is a morbid feeling which will pass
away. You must restrain yourself dar-
ling for over eating might make you
very ILL.,"


''Oh am SO sorry, but mamma would
it be wrong to get some Oranges. want
some oh so badly. Can a boy go for
them, please dear mother. If you will
get them will eat one now and lay the
rest near Greta who wants them so
much.'


Indeed you shall have them if they
can be bought here cried Elinor rising.
My sweet child what privatiOns you
must have endured.