y and uneven enough, but there were green
spots and wayside flowers now and then. There were mists and clouds
about her, too, but she got glimpses of sunshine. And by and by she
grew content to abide in the shadow, knowing, as it was given her to
know, that clouds are sent to cool and shelter and refresh us. Before
content, however, there came many less welcome visitors to the heart of
the poor child.

Can anything be more bewildering to unaccustomed eyes than the motley
crowd which business or pleasure daily collects at some of our
much-frequented railway stations? To the two girls, whose ideas of a
crowd were for the most part associated with the quiet, orderly
gatherings in the kirk-yard on the Sabbath-day, the scene that presented
itself to them on reaching Point Saint Charles was more than
bewildering; it was, for a minute or two, actually alarming. There was
something so strange in the quick, indifferent manner of the people who
jostled one another on the crowded platform, in the cries of the cabmen
and porters, and in the general hurrying to and fro, that even Annie was
in some danger of losing her presence of mind; and it was with something
like a feeling of danger escaped that they found themselves, at last,
safe on their way to the house of Mrs McIntyre, a connection of some
friends of that name at home.

The sun had set long before, and it was quite dark as they passed
rapidly through the narrow streets in the lower part of the town. Here
and there lights were twinkling, and out from the gathering darkness
came a strange, dull sound, the mingling of many voices, the noise of
carriage-wheels and the cries of their drivers, and through all the
heavy boom of church-bells. How unlike it all was to anything the girls
had seen or heard before! And a feeling of wonder, not unmingled with
dread, came upon them.

There was no time for their thoughts to grow painful, however, before
they found themselves at their journey's end. They were expected by
Mrs McIntyre, and were very kindly received by her. She was a widow,
and the keeper of a small shop in a street which looked at the first
glimpse dismal enough. It was only a glimpse they had of it, however;
for they soon found themselves in a small and neat parlour with their
hostess, who kindly strove to make them feel at home. She would not
hear of their trying to find out their places that night, but promised
to go with them the next day, or as soon as th