t by her friend's fireside, watched him at his writing, listened to his reading, ruled ov

t of Deus ex machina in the transaction, and personally paid the ransom of the precious pledge. In honor of the event, Mr. Standish presented her with a copy of Goldsmith's "Animated Nature," with "Meg" printed in gold letters on the cover. The sigh

he feared. He seemed mysteriously elated and full of business, yet he wrote less. He admitted when she questioned him that something was abs

d late. The landlady was maudlinly effusive over Meg that evening, puzzled the child with her ramblingly affection

er to the visitor as "the child I spoke to you about." The elderly gentleman looked at her peeringly, with his head on one side. He chuckled, patted her chee

her when she saw the floor littered with books and papers lying about in pa

ou not going to write to-nigh

. I am going to ta

y his chair, questioning

oment or two he said abruptly, "M

do you mean?" she asked, looki

re your schoolfellows would be ladies; where you would make lots

e-quite?" interrupted Meg,

he an

away for?" she demanded, a

u with no one but Mrs. Browne to l

e asked tr

morr

amation that sou

w her

think you are fretting when I am gone. I want

g?" she faltered, m

or a newspaper that will pay me very well. It is a great

to speak of Meg. The elderly gentleman with the frilled shirt, who had patted her on the head, was the solicitor in question. His name was Mr. Fullbloom. The young man did not tell the child that he had fou

he refusal of the solicitor to give up t

hat person that you would now be placed in a first-rate school, where you will have plenty of comrades of your ow

cold and sile

d to go to school

into her old pronunciation. "I will hate going. I don't want to be edicated. What do I want

eyes, but anger kep

ain here when I am

estion. "Why can't I go where you go? Who'll light your fire for

no one would look a

n, alive to the economical side of the question

t because I care for you that I want you to go to school, that I want you to learn all that can

rked, but she contr

it may be when you are a tall, accomplished young girl of eight

be your houseke

rifted to

close friends, such friends as never we

the child, holding

. "I prom

ool," she said submissively

g helped Mr. Standish to pack up. She asked to be allowed

aid cheerily, stroking her head; then stooping, he ki

ver her heart. In the gray of the morning some furtive sounds reached her ears, and she sprang up listening. A few moments after, Mr. Standish, portmanteau in hand,

nned to avoid this for you," he s

d fashion-plate to

hand that she had held pressed against her bosom she put something into h

or me, Meg

no

hen we meet again," he replied, tenderly folding the

kept a ste

he said feelingly. "It is hard for you; but I will write to yo

sed grief he turned quickly away. As he ran down he looked back and s

ment the hall door clapped below, and from above