ars older. She told them to take care of their new and
future companion. She was sure, she added, that they would make
things pleasant for her. "Yes, ma'am,--come," they said to their new
acquaintance. They led her out of the schoolroom and amused her
during the whole time that was set apart for recreation purposes. By
the time the bell rang for the pupils to form classes, the three
little girls were as friendly as could be. Adele forgot all about
the little girls that had laughed at her.

Later on in the evening, she discovered that her two little
companions were the only boarders beside herself.

The day after her entrance, an event occurred which deserves perhaps
to be narrated.

Adele walked alone down the Grange, turned to the right, and not
knowing where she was going, found herself in a lane called George
Street.

She was busily engaged contemplating a poor little crippled girl,
when the latter's crutch slipped and she fell prone on the road.

She got up quickly, however, seized her crutch and looked anxiously
round to see if someone had perceived her.

Adele stood near, smiling.

The girl in rags went up to her. "What'r'yer laughin' at, yer
dressed up doll?" she said. (Adele had one of her new dresses on.)
"If you don't stop it," she continued threateningly, "I'll give yer
such a bloomin' smack as 'l' make you think you're in the beginnin'
o' next week."

Adele did "stop it," and hastily walked away.

"What!" she said to herself, "can these little girls from town beat
you soundly enough to make you think you are in the beginning of the
week to come? They _must_ be clever. I will ask Miss Euston about
it."

CHAPTER IV.

THE INFLUENCES OF A GOOD HOME.

Ten years have elapsed. On a stormy September afternoon, in a room
of a two-storeyed cottage, situate at the bottom of the Rohais, a
woman lay dying. Her husband knelt beside her bed, holding his
wife's hand.

The stillness that prevailed was only disturbed by an occasional sob
from the husband, and the short irregular breathing of the dying
woman.

The breathing suddenly became more regular. The husband looked at
his wife. He saw that she wanted to speak to him, and immediately
approached his head nearer to her.

"I am going, John," said the woman in a faint tone; "I feel that I
am rapidly drawing nearer the end. I know you will take care of our
son, and--if ever you marry----"

Here she paused as if unable to go on.

"Oh! don't me