learn lots of missionary verses. I'll save all
the money I can; and I'll tell _somebody_, if it's only Evaline, all I
know about missionary work. I'll tell her the first thing when I get
there. To be sure she can't have a band all by herself, but it may do
good somehow."

CHAPTER XIII.

OFF TO THE MOUNTAINS.

"Here's your train!" said Mr. Ashford, hurrying into the waiting-room
where he had left his wife and children while he purchased their
tickets. "I'll carry Freddie. Come, Marty."

While they were waiting their turn to pass through the gate Marty and
her mother were jostled by the crowd against two small, ragged, dirty
boys, who had crept by the officers and were looking through the
railings at the arriving and departing trains.

"Lots of these folks are goin' to the country, where 'ta'n't so hot and
stuffy as 'tis here," said the larger boy. "Was you ever in the country,
Jimmy?"

"Naw," replied the other, a thin, pale little chap about seven, leaning
wearily against an iron post. "Never seed no country, but I _wants_ to."

Marty and her mother, who heard what was said and saw the wistful look
on the small boy's face, pressed each other's hands and exchanged a
sorrowful glance. Then they were obliged to move on; but after going
through the gate Marty pulled her hand out of her mother's and, running
back, took a couple of cakes from a paper bag she carried and passed
them through the fence to the boys. How their faces brightened at this
little act of kindness!

"Marty, Marty!" called her father, who had not seen what she did and was
afraid she would get lost in the crowd, "where are you? Hurry up,
child!"

Then, when he had made them comfortable in the car and was about bidding
them good-by, he said,

"Now, Marty, when you change cars stick closely to your mother and don't
be running after strangers, as you did a moment ago."

"Why, papa," Marty protested earnestly, "they weren't strangers; at
least I know that littlest boy with the awfully torn hat. He is Jimmy--"

"Well, well, I can't stop now to hear who he is, but I didn't know he
was an acquaintance of yours. However, don't run after anybody, or you
will get lost some of these days. Good-by, good-by. Be good children,
both of you."

"Who was that boy, Marty?" asked Mrs. Ashford presently.

"He's Jimmy Torrence, and he lives in Jennie's house. Don't you remember
I told you that one day, when we were all in Mrs. Scott's room singing
to