c with the bundle of articles given her by Mr. Standish spread out on her lap, the bo

nce her friend's departure. She had

bed and began rocking herself backw

r gravely and ap

last, when Mrs. Browne's moans became to

ears-There's a gentleman downstairs-waiting to

embling eagerness, a light springing to her eye

loom-pays for you regular-regular as quarter-day comes, he pays. Remember, as I al

hool?" asked Meg, sitting up straight, s

er school-a ladies' school-and you'll

departure. She was going to the school; and this was th

ts, and to the landlady's repeated injunctions to "speak up for me who has been good to you as a mother

o. I am going to be a lady," said Meg severely, locking the writing-case, a present from Mr. Sta

except just what will go in a little bag," said Mr

gs," said Meg ardently. "I'll not go

her head; but Meg

arcel, went downstairs, followed by Mrs. Browne. In the best parlor stood the gentleman she had once s

d a silver snuffbox, and he looked at M

said in a quick chirping voice

hand to take the on

said Mr. Fullbloom, shakin

go to the school without it,"

lawyer. "What's inside it?

s; "it's books and things-keepsake

ld's resolute look. "Well, well," he added, jerking his head to th

that if Meg had been called under other circumstances to leave the gloomy old boarding-house and the boozy landlady, about whom clustered all the associations of

as driving swiftly and silently along. It was all very strange; yet Meg did not feel surprised. Grief had li

with him to take note of appearances. This little maid's imperturbable demeanor before the tears of Mrs. Browne, her quick, fearless trust in him, her determined attitude toward the bundle covered with brown paper, piqued his curiosity, and moved a deeper interest in her than that which he usually accorded to children. The clear-cut little profile, he acknowledged, had a character

ave the old house-not sorry," he said at last, stooping f

school. Are we going t

e are going to a fairy palace," replied Mr.

at him sm

she said curtly. "Am I

leman who took such an interest in little Miss Meg, and who had set his heart so much upon h

shed at the emotion perceptible on the child's face. It seemed

s guarded and reticent in her monosyllabic replies; but by a few

the boarding-house was unexaggerated. His veiled cross-examination was scarcely concluded before the brougham drew

use the lady's sch

toned coat, plush breeches, and silk stockings came forward, and Meg b

mes and mirrors, delicate porcelains, and blue satin hangings. For a few moments the little Cinderella figure remained standin

e about to be brought before the mas

ad just left. Then Mr. Fullbloom pushed open a door and ushered her into another ro

face was in shadow, but his white hair shone. He was leaning back; there was som

ttle girl," sai

not speak for a moment; but a close observer might have notic

ll your life in Mrs. Browne's boardi

Meg with a quiv

not to be compared in appearance with the glitterin

lace? You have never bee

ave never lived in another place,

is you

eg

g w

e," sa

me. Beecham is your name

repeated

hat!" said he

lastic caught in her hair, and she put her

out of that house," said

eg with kindling countenance, and with

ir. There was a whispered colloquy. Then the old gentleman said in a voice that might have be

ything else," sai

to the

unting flower, toward the gleam of sunshine filtering through the heavy curtains

old gentleman; and he fel

ned little lady-a learned little lady," p

want to be," answered

eemed to her to be one of aversion, "you must promise never to speak of that time spent in the

is one person I will never forge

t him yet-can't do that," put in Mr. Fullbloom in a tone of jaunty conc

said Meg, her voice instinct wit

to read?" asked t

plied Meg

ages until he came to one where a chapter ended. He passed his foref

the book. "You understand?" Meg nodded. "You begin another chapter-the first chapter of your life is finished-you under

think of one person," persisted Meg, intent upon making the

omise not to speak about the past. What will you say when you are

l them," said Meg, with spirit and a relapse into a pronunciation t

led, but the old ma

e to add; take the

Meg. She hesitated, looking toward

that seemed to freeze her with its myster