forgets that she is my little Mary. She no longer
loves me."
"My name is Emma," said the little girl. "Why did you take me away
from Ben?"
Help was at hand, though it came from a stranger.
A knock was heard at the door, and the lady rose and opened it.
The newcomer was a little younger than the lady already
mentioned, but bore such a resemblance to her as to indicate
that she was her sister. She looked at surprise at Emma.
"Where did you get this child, Clara?" she asked.
"It is my little Mary. Don't you see that it is?"
"You are mistaken, Clara. Your little Mary is in heaven."
"She has come back again. This is she. Don't you see that it is
she?" asked the lady called Clara earnestly.
"My poor sister," said the younger lady compassionately, "you are
mistaken. This is not your little Mary. Where did you find her?
To whom does she belong?"
Emma had listened to this conversation with interest, feeling that
it concerned her. She answered the question herself.
"I belong to Ben," she said.
"Where is Ben?" asked the younger lady.
"He is at the big stone chimney. He was going up to the top. He left
me with her."
"You mean the monument, don't you, my dear child?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Is this true, Clara?"
"Yes," the elder sister admitted.
The younger lady looked perplexed.
"You did wrong, Clara, to take the little girl from her brother. He will
feel very anxious about her.
"She said she would buy me some candy," said Emma.
"Could I see my child, and not claim her?" said Clara.
"I am not your child. What makes her say I am her child?"
"My dear," said the younger lady gently, "my poor sister lost her little
girl not long since. She has not been well since. When she saw you
to-day she thought you were her little Mary."
"I want to go back to Ben. What will Ben say?"
"Certainly, you must go back to your brother. Come, my child, we
will try to find him."
Emma went down-stairs with her new friend. Clara did not attempt
to hinder her, but seated herself with an air of dependency in an
armchair, and buried her face in her hands.
"I am afraid Ben has gone away," said Emma.
"It is very perplexing," said the young lady to herself. "We will go out
and try to find your brother. If we cannot, you can tell me where
your home is and I will take you there."
"I don't know exactly where it is," said Emma; "I have never been
there. I came from New York. I am going to b
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