AIN."]

"You did right to tell me this, my child," said she; "but I wish you
to say nothing about it to any one else: will you remember?"

"Yes'm," replied Dotty, trying to read her grandmother's face, and
feeling a little alarmed by its solemnity. "What you going to do,
grandma? Not put Jennie in the lockup--are you? 'Cause if you do--O,
don't you! She said 'twas her sharp eyes, and she didn't mean to
steal, and 'twasn't your pockets, and she promised she'd give me
half--yes, she truly did, grandma."

"Go, dear, and bring me my bonnet from the band-box in my bed-room
closet."

Then Mrs. Parlin folded the sheet she was making, put on her best
shawl and bonnet, and kid gloves, and taking her sun umbrella, set out
for a walk. There was a look in her face which made her little
granddaughter think it would not be proper to ask any questions.

Mrs. Parlin met Jennie Vance coming in at the gate.

"O, dear," thought Dotty, "I don't want to see her. Grandma says I've
done right, but Jennie'll call me a tell-tale. I'll go out in the barn
and hide."

The guilty secret had lain heavy at Jennie's heart all day. As soon as
her dress-maker could spare her, and a troublesome little cousin had
left, she asked permission to go to Mrs. Parlin's.

"Dotty thinks I meant to keep it," she thought. "I never did see such
a girl. You can't say the least little thing but she takes it sober
earnest, and says she'll tell her grandmother."

Jennie stole round by the back door, and timidly asked for Miss
Dimple.

"I'm sure I don't know where she is," answered Ruthie, with a pleasant
smile; "nor Flyaway either. I have been living in peace for half an
hour."

Ruthie made you think of lemon candy; she was sweet and tart too.

While Jennie, with the kind assistance of Prudy, was hunting for
Dotty, Mrs. Parlin was in Judge Vance's parlor, talking with Jennie's
step-mother. Mrs. Vance was shocked to hear of her daughter's conduct,
for she loved her and wished her to do right.

"My poor Jennie," said she; "from her little babyhood until she was
six years old, there was no one to take care of her but a hired nurse,
who neglected her sadly."

"I know just what sort of training Jennie has had from Serena Pond,"
said Mrs. Parlin; "it was most unfortunate. But you are so faithful
with her, my dear Mrs. Vance, that I do believe she will outgrow all
those early influences."

"I keep hoping so," said Mrs. Vance, repressing a sigh; "I take it
v