Kristy's Rainy Day Picnic

mbling daughter who was all the family left, except one thing: he put her out of the house and told her never to come back. It was a very poor house, hardly any comforts in

opening in the foundations big enough for her to crawl in. When she saw this, by the light of the street lamp,

e three were playing together, as they generally were, the dog began to act strangely. H

calling the dog out. He came, but in a minute rushed bac

ld see nothing, but the dog refusing to come out, they went into the house and brought out a candle, and by the

ys they could think of, and at last they went away. But soon they came back and men with them. Nora, t

ough to crawl under the barn, and he went in. He found that she was alive, but she would

owards the opening. She did not resist-she did not know how to re

and the poor, little, half-dead

en, almost tenderly. "She's ne

re and a few spoonfuls of broth-hastily procured from a restaurant-brought her wholly back to

e her story was

t for the protection of misfortune, but for the punishment of crime. They did the best they could. They fed her, ma

arge cities, and had begun to think it was her duty to do something to help. With more money than she could use, and not a r

ad been arrested and placed in a retreat where he would not soon get out

le, she ordered her coachman to drive to the B-- Street police station. He looked astonished,

was the one she had come to see. As for Nora, she had never seen a beau

were her friends? She learned that she had none, that her father h

hild to go?" at

, unless she goes into the s

her," said

charity if you do, ma

s turned t

ll you go

, with hungry soul lo

the lady shortly, l

to see the apparition, but the timid little figure kept close to his m

bath house," was M

hed his seat someh

ing steadily at the wondering face opposite hers,

in with Nora, gave her into the hands of the young woman in charge, with directions to have he

and in an hour returned to the bath rooms, to find Nora waiting. She was soon dressed, much to her own surprise, for she hardly knew the nam

d home, Miss

're to forget your old life-at least as much as you can," she added, seeing a shade come over Nora

m," sa

y," Miss Barnes went on a little mo

what's that?" as

Barnes, wincing as she reflected how much

l expect you to do as I tell you,

your house and be

if you try to do righ

next question, looking lovingly a

nd always enough to eat, Nora. I hope you wil

at there as though stupefied, only now and then whisp

r her to alight, "I especially desire that you should not mention to any one where I got t

touched

y be sure of me

pted daughter, procured a governess for her, had a complete outfit of suitable clothes prepared, and, above all, took unwearied

be instinctively delicate and lady-like. She was pretty, too, wh

her original faults, she seemed to have shed them with her rags, and the great gratitude she felt

ful she scarcely dared to touch them; every want attended to before it was felt. It was too wonderful to seem true. In dreams she would often

ed none of the joy of youth. For Nora walked around as though in a dream. She was always anxious to please, alway

ing her face some time in silence, "w

sked Nora, looking up fro

I ever saw," said Miss Barnes; "you're

lay," said Nora, in a

ildhood. I wanted to give you one, but you were too o

id Nora, w

o you," Miss Barnes went on.

to be like other girls, but somehow I can't. I s

u would like that I haven't don

an't forget my old life, it comes back in my dreams, it is always before me. I don't want to tell you, but I must. I can't

wish?" said Mis

for the life you have given me! I have tried to forget. I can

l your wishes and feelings. If they are wrong, I can help you

the most impulsive movemen

lieve you ar

I suppose I'll have to follow them out. But seriously, dear child, I must say I have had a little uneasy feeling of responsibili

ave only longings to

the work began. Nora captured a poor little girl who came to beg, and took her in to Miss Barnes, in spite of the horror of the servants

n she had been in anything. And Nora grew bright and happy as the months rolled by, and

om, or nursery, a dozen places opened to her. By telling a little of her story, Miss Barnes in

lourished, and Nora still lives in the Barnes Home, mana

the Barnes Home came to be,

see about a maid," cried Kristy eagerly

er mother, "s

Kristy. "Thank you s

e poor girl," said Mrs. Wilson, "reminds me of ano

!" said