d herself devoutly, and muttered a blessing on the fair
young head; and a man, old and hardened in crime, caught her words, and
remembering the love-lit eyes that had bent over him in childhood,
breathed out the remorseful prayer, "God pity me, a ruined soul!"

"You are late, darling," said a low voice anxiously, as Clemence ran up
to the room in a fourth-rate lodging house, which was now their only
home.

"Yes, mamma," said the girl, fondly, assuming a cheerfulness which she
did not feel, "the day was such a pleasant one, I walked on farther than
I had at first intended. You must try and get strong enough to enjoy
this beautiful spring weather with me. But you are tired, and must not
be kept longer waiting for tea, and to accomplish that weighty object,
we must first consult our good friend Mrs. Mann, her services being
absolutely indispensable."

"And here she is for once, when she is wanted," said that good lady in
hearty tones. "I am glad you are home again, for your mother was getting
anxious about you, and making herself sick with fretting. Dear! dear!
Miss Clemence, this is a world of changes! It makes my heart ache to see
you now, having to bother your pretty head with ways and means, when you
are fit to live like a princess in a fairy tale."

"Well, perhaps I may some day. Who knows, Mrs. Mann, what may happen?
The prince that is always appearing to disconsolate damsels, just at the
right moment, to rescue them from a cruel fate, may chance along in this
direction, and then we will all be happy together. Willie shall have
that bran new suit that he has been talking about so long, to wear to
Sunday School, and Fanny a wonderful picture book, and the baby lots of
goodies, and we will live together, and you shall be housekeeper, and
allow no one but yourself to make mamma's tea."

"Hear the dear, generous creature," said Mrs. Mann, standing in
breathless admiration. "If she had her way, everybody would be happy as
the day is long. That girl has a work to do, Mrs. Graystone, or the Lord
would never have implanted such a strong, brave, noble spirit in such a
frail, delicate body."

"Oh, Mrs. Mann," said the widow, "what should I do without her? My only
one, my brave, beautiful Clemence! She is my all of earth, the one being
who makes me cling to life and desire it. God has been good to me in my
affliction, and sent me a blessed comforter."

"I never met but one girl who could at all compare with our Clemence,