Dick and Brownie

ce of working early in the morning before she went downstairs, nor after she went to bed at night, except by candlelight, and she could not, of course, b

ug little kitchen, where they sat so cosy and warm, Dick lying contentedly on his rug, Mrs. Perry sitting in her armchair by the fire, reading aloud

had ever made, and her care was rewarded, for a prettier, daintier basket no one could wish to possess. As

wnies would have done, but couldn't I leave it, as they left their gifts, just where it is sure to be found? It would

t up early in the morning and walk to the vicarage, then creeping softly into the stable, she would tie the parcel on to Rob's back, or to his manger,

t like this plan very well, for one thing, Huldah did not like creeping stealthily in and out of the house, and for another, Miss Rose might not find

t be the medium, and Hulda

he night so endless, and the morning so far off, she longed to be able to go to sleep, to bring it nearer more quickly, and while she was wondering if the kitchen clock had really struck ten, or

ah presently went downstairs, the kitchen was bright with lamp and firelight,

wl snugly about her,-the shawl which Mrs. Perry had lent her, to save the new cloak. Dick bounded along delightedly; it was not often now that he had a walk at that hour of the morning, and he rejoiced in every inch of it; though he was rather hurt when, on

the courtyard and stables. No one was about out of doors, Huldah rejoiced to see, but gu

im she secured her basket on his back by the girth, as fast as her nervous fingers could manage it. "Miss Rose can't help seeing it there," she thought, delightedly, "and Rob can't harm it before she comes." She stood for a second gazing in sheer joy at her handiwork, the dainty basket and the big white label tie

hed the stable first. Almost at once her eye was caught by something unusual on the

en in a big round hand on a sheet of paper, and her eyes grew misty, "From a grateful Brownie." "Now when could she have brought that, and tied it there, I wonder. Rob, you bad boy, why don't you tell me all about it? You know you have be

full of tenderness and admiration. "Dear,

wn Woodend Lane, and drew up as a matter of course before the cottage gate. Indeed, his feelings would

the carriage and fasten Rob to the railings,-then, in a sudden access of s

n, "I found on Rob's back this morning, left there by the brownies, a basket so pretty and so dainty that everyone who has seen it wants one li

, forgetting her sh

t the reason shall be our secret, shall it not? Thank you very, very much little br

ose," she exclaimed, "I am so happy, I don't know what to do; it is a

r lives. You will have some disappointments. It will seem as though some people do not want to be made happy, others would not admit it if they were. Such people need a lot of patience sh

joy, her eyes were dancing. Dick followed his mistress, his tail wagging contentedly, he knew by instinct why she was h

rry that evening, as they sat over their supper before the fire. "I expect Miss Ro

d a sharp check. She had only the least little bit of raffi

off, and one of the hilliest four miles imaginable. But it was not this that daunted her, it was the length of time that she would be kept from her work. However, there was no good done by w

fore. The purchase took a little time, for the shopman had not enough out, and had to send to the stock-room to get some. But, now that she was there, Huldah did not mind that. She loved watching the people coming in and making their purchases; it was all so lively and new and interesting. The shopkeeper, who had seen

street, where the setting sun was flooding the place with radiance, a dazzling,

de her turn quickly. She turned her back to the sun, and the dazzle went out of her eyes, and with it the sunshine from her life,-or so it seemed to h

s so forsook her that she did not know what to do. Then inspiration came to her, and she turned and hurried away as fast as her feet could carry her. She did not run, she was trembling too much for that, she dared not whistle for Dick, for that would have called attention to them both. She could only walk away, and trust to his following her; but even as she went she heard a dreaded voice shout out excitedly, "Why there's our Dick! Dick, Dick, come here"-b

eed, her whole body shook with nervous dread, so that, in spite of her anxiety to get home quickly,

and ashamed at having lost her. She wished, though, that he had gone all the way home, for if they were followed

within sight of their own lane relief gave her strength to run. In the lane the twilight was deeper, and already Mrs. Perry, growing nervous, had lighted the lamp in the kitchen. The warm glow streamed out on poor frightened Huldah, and w