.

"Halloa! Miss Moppet," said her papa. "Are you off? What's the matter
with that dolly? Do you have to walk her to sleep?"

"Oh, no. She's very good, but she's going to sleep with me, because it's
the last night she'll be here."

Marty tried to reply steadily, but her voice trembled.

"Ah!" said her papa sympathizingly. "Where is she going?"

"I'm going to give her to Jennie."

Of course Mr. Ashford had heard all about Jennie. He approved of her
being helped, but did not like to see Marty in distress, and he noticed
her eyes were full of tears.

"It is a shame for the child to give away playthings she is fond of," he
said to his wife.

"I didn't tell her to give it," replied Mrs. Ashford. "It was her own
notion."

"Here, Marty," said her father, putting his hand in his pocket, "you
keep that doll yourself and I'll give you some money to get Jennie
another one."

"Oh! no, papa," said Marty earnestly. "Thank you ever so much, but I
want to give Jennie a doll all myself, and I've quite made up my mind to
give her this one. I thought it over a whole day--didn't I, mamma? You
mustn't s'pose I don't _want_ to give Laura Amelia to Jennie, because I
do, but you know such things make one feel a little sad for a while."

"I presume they do," said Mr. Ashford, smiling as he lifted both Marty
and the doll to his knee. "How many dolls have you?"

"Seven, counting the two little china ones."

"Well, that's a pretty numerous family for one small girl to care for. I
guess you can spare Lucy Aurelia."

"Lucy Aurelia!" Marty laughed heartily. "O papa, what is the reason you
never can remember my dolls' names?"

"I don't see how you can remember them yourself." Then as he kissed her
goodnight he said,

"I am glad my little girl is learning to be kind to the poor and
friendless."

The next day there was some prospect that Marty would not get to
Jennie's after all, as Mrs. Ashford could not very well go with her and
would not let her go alone. Marty was preparing to be dreadfully
disappointed, but her mother said, "Wait until after lunch and we will
see what can be done."

Just then there was a tap at the door, and a tall, dark-eyed, smiling
young lady entered.

"Why, here's Cousin Alice!" exclaimed Marty, and the warm welcome the
visitor received from them all showed what a favorite she was.

"I've come to stay to lunch if you will have me," she announced,
throwing her wrap and gloves on the couch. Marty immedi