An Australian Lassie

hind it. In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called th

, or cook-she had done all four, but the results were pathetic. Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began

a-captain had bought it and built a tower and spiral staircase and a roof promenade, which he called his "deck." And of how he and his small daughter settled down in the great house together; and how her wardrobe was always full of beautiful clothes and her purse full of real sov

lover chosen by her father himself-by name John Brown; and of the pale young author who lived beyond the iron gates, in a small

ay to other lands for five years; of how afterwards the poor author lay ill unto death, and the little wife-"mother" now-carried pretty Dorothy to the great house and sent her trotting into the library, saying "grandpa" as she

abeth), Nancy and the baby; a goodly number for the small weather-board cottage

elonged the task of setting the tables and amusing the baby; and Cyril was engaged at a penny a week to stock the barrel in the kitchen with firewood and chips, and bits of bark to

-room"-drawing-room they had none. The little room that had evidently been destined by its builder to fulfil

ble, several cane chairs, a small piano, a rocking-chair and a dilapidated sofa. Its floor was oilclo

oor, shaken the cloth, put all the chairs with

g the week, and which was still clean and fresh; with her wonderful hair in a shining mass down her back, and a serviette

y," she said-"someway, everything I

ys usually found her in imagination Cinderella; and consequently harsh words from Dorothea,

etty; "the ashes are thick on the hearth a

ed. Betty's voice soun

doing kitchen work. It makes my hands so

e and must be don

hair was Dorothea's with its gold grown dull; her very voice and dimples were Dorothea's. A large pop

lip on your hat and come and gather roses with me. It's little enough

nd Betty can see tha

eplace in gleeful gloom, sitting down in front of i

ime for doing anything, and no particular place for keeping anything. And alas! it is to be

ribbon upon her cherry-coloured straw hat, before the breakfast things were wa

a's attention to the scent of the violets and mignon

d gloomily, "I too might gather flowe

ck door, his arms pi

y well to be you and stay in a nice cool kitchen. How'd you like it if

her "nice cool kitchen" without any

randfather mad. And I wish he'd suddenly think he

shouldn't he adopt

. "He's got his pick of four girls, b

d loaded himself w

thing to earn it," he said when he came in again. "He says every Monday morning h

p the hearth vigorously. Her own grievances faded aw

into the barrel. "There's Harry and Jim besides. I suppose they get three

a scrubbing brush, and then began to roll up her sleeves. She was no longer Cinderella. A new and wonderful thought had f

ich, Cywil?" she asked, tur

ispensed with-he merely showered a little extra vindictiveness upo

nd put her sun-tanned face c

and to have a pony of your own, and jelly and thi

y, Betty," said t

ead. "I've got a t

pearls, so there," said Cyril crossly. "You needn't g

around him in a convinci

d, not pretending? Oh, I've got a very big thought, and it want

s old respectful looks as he