hall sing it some other time when you are here,"
Doodles suggested hopefully.

The woman shook her head. Her reply was soft and broken. "I
shan't ever be here again."

"Oh!" Doodles was instantly sympathetic. Then a gleam lighted his
sorrowing face. "I'll tell you what," he began hurriedly, "I'll
come to your house and sing for you this afternoon--that is, if
you'd like me to," he added.

Such joy flooded the tearful eyes! "Oh, you dear boy! if you would!
I don't know how to thank you!"

"That's all right! I'd love to do it. Shall I come early, right
after dinner, or--"

"Oh, come early! It is so good of you!" The tears threatened to
overflow their bounds.

Doodles glanced down the street. "What is your address, please? I
have to take the next car."

"Why, yes! I forgot! I live at 304 North Charles Street."

"Thank you." He lifted his cap with a bright smile. "I'll be
there!" he promised and was off.

The woman watched him as he hailed the passing car. He saw her
from a window and waved his hand. She returned the salute, and
then walked slowly away.

"I hope he won't forget the number," she said to herself, "he
didn't take it down. And I never thought to give him my name!"

Doodles easily found the place the woman had designated. The house
was small and dingy, and two grimy babies were playing on the
doorstep.

"Miss Lily's upstairs, in back," answered the girl to whom the
inquiry had been referred. "I guess it's her you want. Ther'
ain't nobody else, 'cept Miss Goby, an' she's a big un."

The top of the dim flight was nearly reached when a door opened and
threw a stream of light on the stairway. The boy saw his new
friend waiting for him.

"Walk right in!" she said cordially. "It's awfully good of you to
come!"

The room was in noticeable contrast with the rest of the house.
Here everything was neat and homelike, although there was little
attempt at ornament. Doodles was soon seated in a cushioned rocker
and listening to the little old lady's grateful talk.

"When you spoke of that new song, 'God shall wipe away all tears,'
it did seem as if I just couldn't miss hearing you sing it! But I
never dreamed that you could do such a thing as to come and sing it
to me here. I wish I had a better place for you to sing in, but
I've had to take up with 'most anything these days."

The lad hastened to assure her that he was accustomed to sing in a
small room, and that it made no