Beulah

the asylum were taken to church to morning service. After an early dinner, the matron gave them permission to amuse themselves the remainder of the

y with me, and go out into the

evening; but I dislike

sh me to do anything," ans

d, hastily averting her head, she wiped

g to help you? Wh

o to the edge of the woods-not too far, remember;

not go if it wil

very strongly inclined to follow, and inquire what was in store for her; but the weight on her heart p

dia, running down the walk at full speed, and putting

s to make baskets of. But where is your bonnet?" "I forgot it

ou little witch, you will

if I do. I h

President won't have you

child, with a saucy sp

e next time you come running after me barehe

ss Dorothy don't bleach off h

her, and r

my breath first. Whi

ds in childish glee; "won't we have fun, rolling and slidi

could see the white palings of the asylum. Above her the winter breeze moaned and roared in the pine tops; it was the sad but dearly loved forest music that she so often stole out to listen to. Every breath which sighed through the emerald boughs seemed to sweep a sympathetic chord in her soul, and she raised her arms toward the trees as though she longed to clasp the mighty musical box of nature to her heart. The far-off blue of a cloudless sky looked in upon her, like a watchful guardian; the sunlight fell slantingly, now mellowing the brown leaves and knotted trunks, and now seeming to shun the darker spots and recesses where shadows lurked. For a time the girl forgot all but the quiet and majestic beauty of the scene. She l

t in mournf

ut an emp

l is dead t

are not wha

burst of rich melody fell from her trembling lips. Her soul echoed the senti

d's broad fi

bivouac

e dumb, dr

o in the

k; but as she concluded her song the head bowed itself upon her arms, the shadow of the unknown, lowering future had fallen upon her face, and only the Great Shepherd knew what passed the pale lips of the young orphan.

not disturb you till you finished your song. Down, Carlo; be

, there was a self- possession about her unusual in children of her age, and she answered in a low voice, "I h

ds you sang just now? I was not

em so much that I tried to sing them by one of our

one of the oldest girls running across the common. The shadow on her face deepened, and she looked around for Claudia a

r matron has sent for

?" asked the gentleman, shak

d, as the children came up,

s, certainly?" His eyes rested with unfei

her hand on Lillian's head. Claudia looked shyly at the

o just yet! I left such a n

der comes Katy for us

ese days I shall come to the asylum to see

ard. Katy delivered Mrs. Williams' message, and assured Beulah she must

there again,

entence. That short walk was painful, and conflicting hopes and fears chased

hed the door, and descried an elegant carriage, glittering with

entleman here who must be very rich, judgin

want, Katy?"

y own thoughts," answered the girl, with a

t the door and hurrying them upstairs. She hastily washed Claudia's face and re

laudia sharply, as in perfect silence, and with an

ite and clean, beauty," w

off, because it's turpentine," r

Lilly along. Miss Whi

ean?" said Beulah, ta

o into the reception room. None of the other children were present. Beu

and very pretty woman, while a gentleman stood besi

, and Miss Wh

you can be suited. Come here, little ones." She drew Cl

them, Alfred!" Mrs. Grayson glanc

mely pretty; particularly the black-eyed one,

iry. Come here, my love, and let me talk to you," continued she, addressing Lilly

e. As Beulah gently disengaged her hand, she felt as if the anchor o

illy darling; I wi

front of the stranger. Mrs. Grayson took her small, white hands tenderl

your name

m; but sister

ter'-little

he soft blue eyes turned lovin

said the lady, in an undertone to her husband, who was talking to Claudia. It was said in a low voice, but Beulah heard every syllable,

the smartest girl in the asylum, and I l

the matron, laying her trembling hand on Beulah's shoulder. A bitter smile

u will have some temper to curb," suggested Mr. Grays

very much, and that gentleman will be your papa. He is very kind. You shall have big wax dolls, as high as your heads, and doll-houses, and tea-sets, and beautiful blue and pink silk dress

e had not thought of separation; the evil had never presented itself in this f

do anything on earth, I will work my hands off. Oh, do anything, b

like to go well enough, if you will

ut Miss White sat between them, and, catching the child, she firmly, though very gently, held

r! take me

r to me; she is mine, and you have no right to part us." She e

t be avoided; whole families can't be adopted by one person, and you must not interfere. She will soon be perfectly satisfied away from you, and inst

an't go if she don't want to? She does belong to Beulah," c

ch!" muttered Miss White, crimsoni

suppose you take Claudia; the other seems too r

nfluence her?" She turned to her as she spoke. Thus appealed to, M

d struggle so. Why will you not go with th

she, pressing her wet cheeks

ve you a cage full of the prettiest canary birds you ever looked at. Don't you love to ride? My carriage is waiting at the door. You

e rushing gale. She knew that neither expostulation nor entreaty would avail now, and she r

possible. Give her to me; then perhaps she will go more

white and cold, and the agonized expres

over her sister, and the little arms clasped her neck t

any further difficulty. Of course we dislike to separate sisters, but it can't be helped sometimes. If you lik

will you ever manage two such dispositions, one all t

art. She kissed the beautiful face, and smoothed the golden curls she had so long and so lovingly arranged, and, as the child returned her kisses, she felt as if rude hands were tearing her heart-strings loose. Bu

t cry any more. Let me wash your face; yo

don't want to g

nd I shall come to see you as often as I can. I can't bear to have you go, either; but I

will not be there to hear me say my p

r prayers, and God will hear you just as well as if you were here with

nd poor Beulah's neck, and

sk Him to l

laudy;

much, so very much!" The affectionate child presse

that she is sad, and crying for me, you must coax her to be as contented

I will scratch anybody's eyes out that dares to scold her. This very morning I pinched Maggie black and blue for bothering her, and I tell you I shall

you to fight for her;

ys be kind to her,

the world, don't I, Lilly dear!" She

apped. Her eyes were red, and there were traces of tears on her

and Beulah shall come to see you." She took Claudia's hand and led her down the steps. Beulah lifted her sis

r; they both looked pleased, as Lilly had ceased cr

is hand to assist her. She paused, kissed her kind matron, and then approached Beula

Please love me, and ask God for me too." She was lifte

. Grayson, and said in

ectionately to her, then she will be good and ob

Beulah's heart. She swallowed a groan of agony, and, strai

came up and said something which she did not hear, and, turning hastily away, she went up to the dormitory, and seated herself on Lilly's vacant bed. The child knew not how

try to eat some

u, I don't wa

hey disliked to separate you and Lily, but thought that, under the circumstances, it was the best arrangement they could make. Beulah, I want t

things cannot be avoided, and I hope all will turn out for the best. There is a place engaged for you, and Miss White wishes you to go to-morrow. I trust you will not have a hard time. You are to

est I can. I do not mi

nt down on her

her; but remember, it is for her good. Mr. Grayson is

y to my-" Again s

the next to other poor souls. Well, well, I hope it will prove for the best as far as you are concer

ld not

long. Poor little thing, I shall always remember you in my prayers." She kissed her gently, and left her, hoping that solitude woul

led her in her arms for six long years? A foreboding dread hissed continually, "Do you suppose the wealthy and fashionable Mrs. Gr

nto the room. She buried h

d a troubled,

up with a dry sob, and th

as cold as ice. You will make yourself sick sitting here without even a shawl around you." He led her downstairs t

rocking-chair an

the other wan, haggard, and sorrow-stained. He looked about sixteen, and promised to become a strikingly handsome man, while the proportions of his po

le tear. I wish you would not keep your sorrow so pent up i

iserable. Eugene, if you could have seen our Lilly cling to me, even to the last mo

s best that you should give her up for a while, and if so, will you not try to bear it cheerfully, instead of making yourself sick with useless grie

I had known it earlier I would have endeavored to prevent it

his sermon last Sunday? 'The darkest hour is just before daybreak.' Already I begin to see the 'silver lining' of clouds that a few years, or even months ago, seemed heavy and cheerless. I have heard a great deal about the ills and trials of this world, but I think a brave, hopeful spirit will do much tow

get tired of me, and if you ever do I shall want to die. Oh, how could I bear to k

ingly repeat

u, indeed-not I,

n anything I ever read. Some parts are so beautiful-so very gr

step, until I, too, stand on the highest pinnacle, and plant my banner where its glorious motto shall float over the world. That poem stirs my very soul like martial music, and I feel as if I s

put it into her hand, while h

eyes; tears which acute suffering could not wring f

be asleep, for I have no doubt to-morrow will be a trying day for you. Do exert yourself to be brave, and bear it

e as h

n? Can't you stay with me a l

oked at the beseeching, haggar

; you must go to slee

walking home. Let

vercoat in the h

he moonlight shone over the threshold, and he thought she looked ghostly

ght, dea

. Do come and se

w-spirited as soon as I am

ry not to complain. Wa

back to the dormitory. Falling on her knees by the side of Lilly's empty couch, she besought God, in trembling accents, to