she did not mind it now.
The kindly word spoken in her behalf by the truly gracious lady, the
simple gift of a flower, had given her new spirit. Her heart, like a
little bird, kept singing a cheery song to itself; while, as she
journeyed hither and thither, her feet seemed to keep time to its
gladness.

"Why, Cash, you're getting smart! What has waked you up?" said the
salesgirl, when, well on in the afternoon, the child sat down by the
counter for a few seconds. Then, without waiting for a reply, she
continued: "Now, aren't you sorry you did not exchange with me? See,
you've lost your rose!"

"Oh, 'taint losted," answered the girl.

"You did not give it to any one after I made the first bid?" (The
inquiry was in a sharper tone.)

"No: I'm keeping it for Ellie."

"Oh, sure enough! Poor Ellie! how is she? Cash, you're a good little
thing to remember her so kindly. Here, I have the orange still; take
it to her, too."

The child's eyes sparkled with pleasure as the salesgirl put the golden
ball into her hand. "Ellie'll be awful pleased. I'll tell her you
sent it, Julia," she said.

Cash had, of course, another name: it was Katy Connors. Katy lived way
over on the east side of the city, in a house which was once a handsome
dwelling, but had long since been divided into tenements and given up
to ruin. The Connors were known among their neighbors as a
respectable, hard-working family. The father was a day-laborer; the
mother went out washing; Joe, a boy of fourteen, was in the district
messenger service; after him came Katy, who was employed in
McNaughton's store; and then Ellie, the little invalid. Two younger
children had died in infancy.

Poor Ellie was fast becoming helpless. How different it had been a few
months before! What a sturdy, active, child she was, when one morning
she set out in gay spirits "to earn money for mother!" Like Katy, she
had obtained a position as cashgirl in McNaughton's. And how quick and
smart she was about her duties! The floor-walker commended her twice
during the week, and said he would speak for an increase in her wages.
How proud she felt when Saturday came, and she knew she would have two
dollars and a half to take home! Unfortunately, it was to be dearly
gained.

Saturday afternoon it happened that the store was unusually crowded;
everything was stir and confusion. Little Ellie and her companions
dashed now here, now there, in response to the unceasing cry