THE LAST PENNY. 9

 

floor and fixing upon him her large bright
eyes for almost as long a period. Lizzy
was never so contented as when she was
with her father; and he never worked so
cheerfully, as when she was near him.»

Gradually, as month after month went
by, Lizzy wasted away with some disease,
for which the doctor could find no remedy.
Her cheeks became paler and paler, her
eyes larger and brighter, and such a weak-
ness fell upon her slender limbs that they
could with -difficulty sustain her weight.
She was no longer able to clamber up the
steep stairs into the garret, or loft, where
her father worked; yet she was there as
often as before. Claire had made for her a
little bed, raised a short space from the
floor, and here she lay, talking to him or
looking at him, as of old. He rarely went
up or down the garret-stairs without hav-
ing Lizzy in his arms. Usually her head |
was lying upon his shoulder.

And thus the time went on, Claire, for
all the love he felt for his sick child—for