apital dog, and
when he heard his story vowed he never would part with him.

Owing to Annie's illness, and to all the trouble and confusion which
immediately ensued, Mrs. Willis did not give away her prizes at the usual
time; but when her scholars once more assembled at Lavender House she
astonished several of them by a few words.

"My dears," she said, standing in her accustomed place at the head of the
long school-room, "I intend now before our first day of lessons begins,
to distribute those prizes which would have been yours, under ordinary
circumstances, on the twenty-first of June. The prizes will be
distributed during the afternoon recess; but here, and now, I wish to say
something about--and also to give away--the prize for English
composition. Six essays, all written with more or less care, have been
given to me to inspect. There are reasons which we need not now go into
which made it impossible to me to say anything in favor of a theme called
'The River,' written by my late pupil, Miss Russell; but I can cordially
praise a very nice historical sketch of Marie Antoinette, the work of
Hester Thornton. Mary Price has also written a study which pleases me
much, as it shows thought and even a little originality. The remainder of
the six essays simply reach an ordinary average. You will be surprised
therefore, my dears, to learn that I do not award the prize to any of
these themes, but rather to a seventh composition, which was put into my
hands yesterday by Miss Danesbury. It is crude and unfinished, and
doubtless but for her recent illness would have received many
corrections; but these few pages, which are called 'A Lonely Child,' drew
tears from my eyes; crude as they are, they have the merit of real
originality. They are too morbid to read to you, girls, and I sincerely
trust and pray the young writer may never pen anything so sad again. Such
as they are, however, they rank first in the order of merit and the prize
is hers. Annie, my dear, come forward."

Annie left her seat, and, amid the cheers of her companions, went up to
Mrs. Willis, who placed a locket, attached to a slender gold chain, round
her neck; the locket contained a miniature of the head-mistress'
much-loved face.

"After all, think of our Annie Forest turning out clever as well as being
the prettiest and dearest girl in the school!" exclaimed several of her
companions.

"Only I do wish," added one, "that Mrs. Willis had let us see the essay