The Story of Jessie

ng, "Keep every evil far from me," and tryi

your clothes on, for your father and one of the lodg

use herself and collect her wits. It was not yet daylight, of course, and the lighted lamp stood on the table in the midst of the dirty dishes just as it had the night before;

Get on your things, then light the fire as quick as you can-no, I'll light the fire to-day, because your father can

she could scarcely stand, or see to get into her garments. She looked around her for a place where she c

I can't wake-up; I-I-" and she was asleep again. H

ave gone out, then you can go to one of the bedrooms, unless you'd like to wash at

the freshness of cold water on her aching head and heavy eyes

and so was the table and the dirty floor. Where was she to wash, and where was the dipper? She looked around her hopelessly. She was so heavy with sleep she could h

t thankfully, and emptying its contents on to a dirty plate, went to the tap and gave it a good wash out. While she was doing this her eye fell on a piece of soap. At last she managed to draw a dipperful of clean fresh water, and glad enough

rushed, and her cheeks still glowing from the cold water, she looked so fresh and such a pleasant sight to

of the cups and things witho

do at home." But the mere mention of that name brough

plates. I'd better lend you something to put on over your cl

me two," and she stepped to the old bag and lifted out a dark-blue

weep up the littered floor. Mrs. Lang opened her mouth to tell her to stop, then apparently thought better of it, and let

r me about such things

ooked at the rag, and pondered. At last, however, the temptation to wipe off some of the dust became too much for her, and she used it. "I can wash out the rag again," she comforted herself by thin

me into the kitchen again. The semblance of a smile crossed her face as she lo

ttered, with a laugh. "I wonder how long it'll

and found her stepmother frying bacon. It sme

to work every day as e

own your father work since he crossed my path! It's the races he's o

yed. "Doesn't he eve

s he liv

e. I've got the house full of lodgers, and I can tell you it takes me all my time, and more, to look after th

e was too young. Now she was older and better able to understand, for she had had a long and happy experience of what a home could and should be, where each did a share, and thought always of others first. She fel

he said, looking up

rd with two of us

as she glanced from the frying-pan to Jessie. "Yes, you can help a bit, I exp

r how she is, and how granp is! Oh, I expect he was in a dreadful way when he came home, and hea

iet, child, your father's coming, and he'll beat you if you go on like that. Oh, it'

to a chair by the tab

, but I ain't awake,"

sight of Jessie, "is t

ling me

his is

ed back. He had a good-tempered face and kin

red, I

u, I am," said

he asked comically, as he glanced about him

ms sweep clean," she said shortly, "and

hingly. "I don't know how you ever man

one else's; while as for bringing in a scuttle of coal, or going an errand, or putting a spade near the garden, he'd think himself disgraced for ever if he did either.

ootsteps were heard approac

ish of bacon for him, "We won't have ours now," she whispered to Jessie; "you and me'll have ours after they're gone, when ther

ie?" she asked kindly, for she saw Jessie's dread of her

ie asked, "and where i

e's. He is my son, you know, he's just about your age, but he's-he's very delicate." Mrs. Lang hesitated a little, and turned her face away f

, in such weather as this, and shave myself, and-and put myself out like this," grumbled the maste

s possible. At the sight of her father all her old terror of h

ugh," she thought, "it will be better than going back again," and she groped her way carefully up another little flight of stairs. Round the bend of them a light gleamed from a partly open door. She went on further and looked in. The room was empty and very untidy,

"It is me-Jessie," she called back. "Your m

, pl

was actually here, but it was too late to turn back, so she sidled in aroun

fairly good pieces of furniture in it as well, but the whole place looked neglected, untidy and comfortless. Jessie

thin and worn and helpless, he looked much younger, and his p

and drove out most of her shyness. "I am so sorry you ar

reat interest. "I have been for a long time. I think it is se

g!" exclaimed Jessie. "Co

idn't like my being there, and when they said they couldn't make me w

you

ery glad. I w

f. "I am Jessie Lang," she said; "and-and I am come to live here, fathe

cried Charlie; "then you'll be able

hen presently she added, in a conflicting tone, "I don't know what to call your mother. I don't like to say 'Mrs. Lang,' i

gh I hate to. I don't like him. I hate him-he's- he's unkind to mother!" and t

"you ought not to spea

a-why don't

ng on at mother, he makes her miserable, and he-he hits her!" staring at Jessie with wide, horrified eyes. "We were so happy

sie soothingly. "Did

other gets, and he won't give her any of it. He won't work himself, either. All the nice lodgers left because he made such rows in the house, and was alwa

kness and excitement. It was such a rare treat to him to have any one to

now Miss

ry late. I've seen one lodger, a young man. H

like him-I do. I want

mother said we would wait till father was gone." She hesitated over t

mebody to talk to, and read and play with me. Mother would like it, too. She isn't really cross, you know. She is only tired and worried. You see, she's got me to look after, and me and fath

he felt really drawn towards her new stepbroth

ness which was creeping over her. "I have been, a little, already. Ca

asked Charlie, feelin

say so, and as she leaned against the bed she was plannin

ch lots there, such lovely ones, roses, and violets, jessamine and lilac, and may-oh, all sorts

rked sympathetically. "I'd love to lie in a garden with flowers, and the bees humming, and no noise of rattlin

t go home. I shall die if I don't go home to granp," and

o badly-but I wish you didn't," he sighed, his own lips quivering. "I wish you would stay

mother," she said in a choked, thick voice, "it is no use, father would make me stay, and it would only make him angry if we asked him, and I-I want to help you, too," she added,

harlie, and after a time he raised his head and turned around and faced her, and while he lay back on his pillows, very weary after his excitement, Jessie, the more

elighted her sad heart. He was the apple of her eye, the great love of her life, the only thing in the world she cared for, and to see him h

er get the men started off. Now, darling," to Charlie, "will you take your breakfast?" She put down the tray and

right?" s

y," said Charlie, wit

etween, the knife and fork and cup were dirty too, and all was put down anyhow. Charlie probably was not accustomed to daintiness, but this was enough to check whatever appetite an invalid might have. Jessie longed to take the tray away, and set it according to her own notions, but she said nothing, f