Beulah

letters the inscription "Orphan Asylum." The structure was commodious, and surrounded by wide galleries, while the situation offered a silent trib

d about six years old, and was clad, like her companions, in canary-colored flannel dress and blue- check apron. Lillian was the pet of the asylum, and now her rosy cheek rested upon her tiny white palm, as though she wearied of the picture-book which lay at her feet. The figure beside her was one whose marvelous beauty riveted the gaze of all who chanced to see her. The child could have been but a few months older than Lillian, yet the brilliant black eyes, the peculiar curve of the dimpled mouth, and long, dark ringlets, gave to the oval face a maturer and more piquant loveliness. The cast of Claudia's countenance bespoke her foreign parentage, and told of the warm, fierce Italian blood that glowed in her cheeks. There was fascinating grace in every movement, even in the easy indolence of her position, as she bent on one knee to curl Lillian's locks over her finger. On the upper step, in the rear of these two, sat a girl whose age could not have been very accurately guessed from her countenance, and whose features contrasted strangely with those of her companions. At a first casual glance, one thought her rather homely, nay, decidedly ugly;

t?" cried Lillian, turning round and la

y? I was not li

p some of his pretty bright feathers out, if he rolled over the shells two or three times," answered Lill

low such bad luck?" The dark, thoughtful eyes, ful

I should like the fun of seeing him stagger and wheel over and over, and tumble off the limb, so that I might run and catch him in my apron. Do you thi

e before I would eat a piece of it," chimed

"You say you would not eat a bit of roby-pie to s

audy, I

rd last week that fell out of this very tree, and gave it

little fellow wou

lliams tell Susan to put it in with the others. So, you see, you did eat ro

re pie till they have all gone," was Lilly's consolatory re

is a ca

that red-headed Miss Dorothy always takes particular pains to look at it. She rubbed her pocket-handkerchief over it the other d

d clothes for us, and you ought to be ashamed to speak of her as you do." As she del

ll be good, and not make faces at her in my apron." Beulah stooped down and warmly kissed the suppliant, then took her little sister's hand and led her into the house, just as the carriage reached the door. The children presented a pleasant spectacle as they entered the long dining r

ordinary interest had convened them on the present occasion, and she was passing on to her accustomed place when her eyes fell upon a familiar face, partially concealed by a straw bonnet. It wa

rs. Mason? I am s

ng, and told him I was coming out. He sent you a book and a message. Here is the book. You are to mar

e volume in her h

ised me, and I thank you very much, Mrs. Mason, for bringing it." The face was radiant with newborn joy, but it all died out when Mi

does not work enough or she would have so

out the hall lamp, we find her with her book alone in the cold. I can't get my consent to forbid her reading, especially as it never interferes with her regular work, and she is so fond of it." As the kind-hearted matron uttered these words she glanced at the child and sighed involuntarily. "You are too indulgent, Mrs. Williams; we cannot

much hard work; she always has looked delicate and pale," said Mrs. Taylor, an

ot exercise sufficiently to make her robust. Just lo

autiful color; she looks exactly like a cake o

's crimson lips, lest the whisper of the indignant little

White, the matron ventured to sug

ude to educate her for a teacher. She is so s

teach, and our finances do not admit of any such expenditure. As the best thing for her, I should move to bind her out to a mantua-maker or milliner

t was brought here l

yl

llowed, and then Beulah was not surprised to hear the order given for the children to retire, as the managers had some especial business with their matron. The

l sew no more to-day. You can pump a fresh bucket of

her. The latter was standing on a chair, mimicking Miss Dorothea, and haranguing her sole auditor, in a nasal twang

her if you want to,

ind as our dear matron, or some of the managers, but she thinks she is righ

s,-our matron says I will be beautiful enough to marry the President,-and then I will see whether Miss Dorothy Red-head comes meddling and botherin

d, and asked

o dress you and keep your hair in order, whe

ing but read." The impulsive child threw her arms around Beulah's neck

and Olaudy. I am going out into the yard

. She was no less important a personage than vice president of the board of m

sent that book

s asylum. Mr. Graham adopted him, and he is now known as Eugene Graham. He is

. What sort of boy is he? I have seen him seve

ago. He is much older than Beulah, and loves her as well as if she were his sister,"

t, that is all. I know of an excellent situation, where a lady is willing to pay six dollars

o carry a heavy child always in he

fell upon Beulah's ear, as she passed through the hall, and an unerring intuition told her "You are the one." She put her hands over her ear