t to me; but I will not wrong her more
than I can help.'

'Come, little girl, go with me,' he said, in his kindest tones, as he
advanced toward her, while Harold went for her cloak and hood.

Jerry knew then that she was expected to go with the stranger, and
without Harold, and resisted with all her might. Standing behind him, as
if safe there, and clinging to his coat, she sobbed piteously,
intermingling her sobs with 'Ess, 'ess, 'ess,' the only English word she
knew, and which she seemed to think would avail in every emergency.

And it did help her now, for Harold pleaded that he might go, too, and
when Jerry saw him with his coat and hat, and understood that he was to
be her escort, she ceased to sob, and allowing herself to be made ready,
was soon in the sleigh, and on her way to Tracy Park.

CHAPTER XV.

JERRY AT THE PARK.

And so this is the poor little girl. We'll take her right to the
kitchen, where she can get warm,' Mrs. Tracy said, as she met her
husband in the hall, with Harold and the mite of a creature wrapped in
the foreign looking cloak and hood.

'No, Dolly!' and Frank spoke very decidedly, as Harold was turning in
the direction of the kitchen. 'She is going to the nursery, with the
other children, and when they have their dinner she shall have hers with
them.'

'Ess, 'ess, 'ess,' Jerry said, as if she comprehended that there was a
difference of opinion between the man and woman, and that she was on the
affirmative side.

'Take her to the nursery! Oh, Frank! she may have something about her
which the children will catch,' Mrs. Tracy said, blocking the way as she
spoke.

But Jerry, who through the half-open door had caught sight of the pretty
sitting-room, with its warm carpet and curtains, and cheerful fire,
shook her head defiantly at the lady, and brushing past her, went boldly
into the room, whose brightness had attracted her.

Marching up to the fire, she stood upon the rug and looked about her
with evident satisfaction; then glancing at the three who were watching
her, she nodded complacently, and said, ''ess, 'ess, 'ess,' while she
held her little cold hands to the fire.

'Acts as if she belonged here, doesn't she?' Frank said to his wife, who
did not reply, so intent was she upon watching the strange child, who
deliberately took off her cloak and hood and tossing them upon the
floor, drew a small low chair to the fire, and climbing into it, sat
down as composedly as if she