Year: 1875

They thought didn't know at home, but
did; there was the wife going over and
over again TO Benefits place and all
sorts Of little nice things were made and
taken there. l ollen used to see them talk
ing about it, but took no notice and that
anful scoundrol, my boy Luke, used TO
pay the half crown every week out of his
own pocket, after going TO fetch IL f o n the
Widows.


And all the time 1 told myself didn't
like it, for / could see that Luke was chang
ed, aud always thinking Of that girl-a
girl not half good CROUCH fer him. l re-
membered being poor myself, and hated
poverty, and 1 used TO speak harshly 10
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, saying she
was going to see a sick woman-I knew
who 1t was, bless you land Luke was
fidgeting about, not himself; and at last
he took his hat and went out.


"They might have confded in me-" l
said bitterly, but all the time knew that I
wouldn't let them. "They'll be spending
money-throwng it away. know they've
spent pounds on them already"


At last l got in such a way that called
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
arrears with me, had sent the children
that played in the court right away because
of the noise, and were keeping guard so
that they should not come back.


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


Luke was there, standing with his head
bent by the sewing machine the wife sat
i'm chair, and on her knees, with her face
buried in the wile's lap, was the poor girl,
crying as if her little heart would break !;
while on the bed, with all the look of pain
gone out Of her face, lay the widow-gone
TO meet her husband, where pain and sor-
row are no more.


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


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


Mother" says that something from
within me, 81 think there's room in the
nest at home for this poor, ioisaken little
bird. Luke my boy, will you 60 and fetch
a cabp Mother will see to wha wants do
| ing here"


My boy gaVea sob as he caught my hand
in his, aud the next moment he did what
he had not done for years-kissed me on
| the check-Lelore running out OF The room.
leaving me with my darling nesting in
my breast.


| l said "my darling" for she has been
the sunshine of our home ever since-a
| pale, winiry sunshine while the sorrow
was fresh, but spring and summer now.
Why, bless her! look at her. I've fell
| ashamed sometimes TO think that she, a la
dy by bhth, should come down 10 such q
| life making Newell, no, lis rs now, fol
Luke's partner--no end Of money by hei
clever ways. But she's happy thinking
her husband that is 10 be, the finest fellow
under the sun; and let he tell you there
many gentleman not SO well of as my
boy will lie, even if the money has all
come out ola queer trade.