and
when the next morning dawned it was found that he had left the house,
and as was intimated in a slight note pencilled and left on the table in
his room, never to return again.

While Miss Henderson's mind was far back in the past, she had not
observed the approach of a man, shabbily attired, accompanied by a
little girl, apparently some eight years of age. The man's face bore the
impress of many cares and hardships. The little girl was of delicate
appearance, and an occasional shiver showed that her garments were too
thin to protect her sufficiently from the inclemency of the weather.

"This is the place, Henrietta," said the traveller at length, pausing at
the head of the gravelled walk which led up to the front door of the
prim-looking brick house.

Together they entered, and a moment afterwards, just as Miss Hetty was
preparing to lay the cloth for dinner, a knock sounded through the
house.

"Goodness!" said Miss Hetty, fluttered, "who can it be that wants to see
me at this hour?"

Smoothing down her apron, and giving a look at the glass to make sure
that her hair was in order, she hastened to the door.

"Will it be asking too much, madam, to request a seat by your fire for
myself and little girl for a few moments? It is very cold."

Miss Hetty could feel that it was cold. Somehow, too, the appealing
expression of the little girl's face touched her, so she threw the door
wide open, and bade them enter.

Miss Hetty went on preparing the table for dinner. A most delightful
odor issued from the oven, one door of which was open, lest the turkey
should overdo. Miss Hetty could not help observing the wistful glance
cast by that little girl towards the tempting dish as she placed it on
the table.

"Poor little creature," thought she, "I suppose it is a long time since
she has had a good dinner."

Then the thought struck her: "Here I am alone to eat all this. There is
plenty enough for half a dozen. How much these poor people would relish
it."

By this time the table was arranged.

"Sir," said she, turning to the traveller, "you look as if you were
hungry as well as cold. If you and your little daughter would like to
sit up, I should be happy to have you."

"Thank you, madam," was the grateful reply. "We are hungry, and shall be
much indebted to your kindness."

It was rather a novel situation for Miss Hetty, sitting at the head of
the table, dispensing food to others beside herself. There was somethi