MYSTERY IN LOVE

ad died in the village. She was a woman of not good behaviour. She had done a lot of miserable work and the dead body layed coldly and still amid her wretched children.

Maggie, the youngest, was hopelessly diseased. Two years before a fall from a window had injured her spine and she had not been able to leave her bed since except when lifted in the arms of her mother. What it used to be done with the children was the chief question now. The dead mother would go underground and be forever beyond all care a concern of the villages. But the children must not be left to starve. After considering the matter and talking it over with his grandmother, farmer Jones said that he would take John and do well by him now that his mother was out of the way. Anither person by the Ellis she had been looking out for a bound girl, concluded that it would be charitable in her to make choice of Kate, even though she was too young to be of much use for several ye

er." She said. She drew the tearful children apart there scarcely. Their lips had touched in a sobbing farewell. Hastily others went out some glancy that Maggie. Some resolutely refraining from a look until awl had gone. She was alone. Just beyond the threshold, Joe Thompson the wheel right paused and said to the blacksmith wife who was hastening off with rest. It was a cruel thing. Then there came another man known has Joe who took her to the poor house. "You will have to go there." Said the blacksmith wife springing away and leaving Joe behind for a little while the man stood with a puzzled air. Then he turned back and went into the hole again. Maggie with painful effort and raised to stop to an upright position and was sitting on the bed. Straining her eyes upon the door out of whi

rnered itself around them both, and love was sprained to life. "What do you have you there?" She sharply questioned Joe Thompson. Joe felt the child started shrinking against him. He did not reply except by a look that was pleading and cautionary. That said wait a moment for explanations and be gentle. By passing in, he carried Maggie to the small chamber on the first floor and laid her on a bed. Then stepping back. He shut the door and stood face to face with his vinegar tempered wife in the passage way outside. "You haven't brought home that safe bread." Miss Joe s

e little girl, look for a guardian today. Why put it off till tomorrow? Go at once for the permit and get the whole thing off of your hands tonight. Miss Joe said with an impressiveness of tone that greatly subdued his husband. "When I read in the Bible, sometimes and find much said about little children. How the saviour rebute the disciples who would not receive them. How he took them up in his arms and blessed them and how he said that whosoever gave them even a cup of cool water should not go and unrewarded. Now it is a small thing for us to keep this poor, motherless little one for a single night to be kind to her for a single night to make your life comfortable for a single knight." Said Mr Joe. The voice of the strong rough man shooked. Miss Joe turned her head away so that the moisture in his eyes might not be seen. Mrs Thompson did no

under the lamp light saw that it was an attractive face and full of chilly sweetness, which suffering had not been able to obliterate. "Your name is Maggie." He said as he sat down and took her soft little hand in his. "Yes, Sir." Her voice struck a core that quivered in a low strain of music. "Have you been sick long." Yes, Sir. What a sweet patience was in her tone. "Do have the doctor who used to come to attend you.?" "But not lately, no, Sir."said the little girl. Did you paid him any amount? "Sometimes but not now" "When had you pained?" "Well, this morning my head and my back hurt when you carried me." "It hurts you to be lifted or moved about." "Yes, Sir." "Your side doesn't age now." " No, Sir." " Does it make a great deal." "Yes, Sir, but it hasn't egged any since i've been on the soft bed." "Oh, the soft bed feels good. "Oh yes, Sir." What a satisfaction niggled with gratitude was in her voice. "Supper is ready." Said Miss Thompson. Looking into the room a little while after Joe glanced from his wife's face to that of Maggie. She understood him and answered she can wait until we are done, then I will bring her something to eat. There was an effort at indifference on the part of Miss Thompson, but her husband had seen her through the window and understood that the coldness was assumed. Joe waited after singing down to the table for his wife to introduce the subject uppermost in both of their thoughts. But he kept silent on that theme for many minutes and he maintained a like reserve. But at last she said, abruptly

ture. Now the sweetest of that sick child looking ever to her in love, patience and gratitude was as honey to her soul and she carried her in her heart as well as in her arms a precious burdens. As for Joe Thompson, there is not a