er put his stick down, and took Dolly into his own arms, and laid her
head down on his breast.

"Let me carry her a little way, Tony," he said. "She's as light as a
feather, even to poor old grandpa. I'd like to carry my little love a bit
of the way home."

"I'll tell you what I can do," said the lady, wrapping Dolly up and
kissing her before she covered her pale face, "if you will tell me where
you live I will speak to the doctor as soon as he comes in--for he is out
just now--and perhaps he will come to see her. He knows a great deal
about children, and is fond of them."

"Thank you, thank you kindly, ma'am," answered old Oliver, feeling a
little comforted. But when they stood outside, and the bleak wind blew
about them, and he could see the soft glimmer of the light in the
windows, within which other children were safely sheltered and
carefully tended, his spirit sank again. He tottered now and then under
his light burden; but he could not be persuaded to give up his little
child to Tony again. These streets were quiet, with handsome houses on
each side, and from one and another there came bursts of music and
laughter as they passed by; yet Tony could catch most of the words
which the old man was speaking.

[Illustration: NO ROOM FOR DOLLY]

"Dear Lord," he said, "there's only room for seventy-five of thy little
lambs that are pining and wasting away in every dark street and alley
like mine. Whatever can thy people be thinking about? They've got their
own dear little children, who are ill sometimes, spite of all their
care; and they can send for the doctor, and do all that's possible,
never looking at the money it costs; but when they are well again they
never think of the poor little ones who are sick and dying, with nobody
to help them or care for them as I care for this little one. Oh, Lord,
Lord! let my little love live! Yet thou knows what is best, and thou'lt
do what is best. Thou loves her more than I do; and see, Lord, she is
very ill indeed."

They reached home at last, after a weary and heartbroken journey, and
carried Dolly in and laid her upon old Oliver's bed. She was wide awake
now, and looked very peaceful, smiling quietly into both their faces as
they bent over her. Tony gazed deep down into her eyes, and met a glance
from them which sent a strange tremor through him. He crept silently
away, and stole into his dark bed under the counter, where he stretched
himself upon his face, and buried his