keep it.

She could hear the music, from the great hotel on the hill, borne on
the breeze, and that, with the happy frame of mind produced by the
approval of her conscience, soon had the effect of sending her into a
sound sleep, from which she awoke in the morning, refreshed and quite
happy. She went about her accustomed duties with a light heart and
singing like a lark. Mrs. Ross wondered, to hear her; what could be
the source of her high spirits.

She was on the alert for a chance to put her plan into execution, and
when she found her mother occupied over the details of the breakfast
table, she went up to her room, and covering the parrot's cage and
herself with a light water-proof cloak, which the chill of of the May
morning seemed to warrant; she went out of the house and through the
back gate, and took the road to the hotel.

Mrs. Granby had just risen, and was delighted that Mabel had come to
terms after all, as her little daughter had been longing for the
parrot continually. Mabel told her story and Mrs. Granby was deeply
affected. She promptly agreed to Mabel's condition, to sell her the
bird back again, if she could get together ten dollars of her own to
redeem it, and gave Mabel her address in New York.

Mabel was at home again just as the boys were getting their breakfast,
and wondering what had become of her. She said she had been taking a
walk for her health and refused to gratify them further.

Soon they were through and went out, and when she saw little Joe in
the swing, and Ben and Walt sitting on the bench of Walt's making,
under the apple-tree, and knew by their gestures they were discussing
Perry's colt--she drew from her pocket the crisp, bright, ten-dollar
bill, and laid it beside her mother's plate. Her mother's fervent
"Thank God," amply rewarded her for the loss of the parrot.

"But, Mabel," began Mrs. Ross--

"Now, mamma," interrupted Mabel, "you know you promised to trust me.
You will soon know all about it."

Mabel went to school that day with a happy heart.

That evening a portly, middle-aged gentleman stood at the gate, and as
she looked up, he said:

"Can you tell me if this is Mrs. Ross's?"

"Yes, sir," said Mabel, wondering who he could be. As she turned and
faced him, he caught his breath quickly, and exclaimed:

"Alice!"

Mabel's heart gave a great bound.

"That is mamma's name, mine is Mabel."

"Lead me to her," he said, hoarsely.

Mabel quickly ran before him int