40 BE TRUE.

to God, pressed her tremblingly to
his heart, kissed her tearful cheek,
and left the house.

The next day Mrs. Crocker came ;
a gossiping old woman, whose
tongue could outrun a dozen brooms
and mop handles. To her idle and
impertinent clatter, poor Laura was
obliged, through the day, to listen.
But thankful was she at nightfall to
see good Mrs. Page coming across
the field.

“O Tam glad you have come,” said
Laura, throwing her arms around the
neck of her friend, as she entered and
seated herself by the open window.

Mrs. Crocker was gathering up her
things to depart. “Laura,” said the
old woman, thrusting her head
through the half-open door, “be sure
that you say nothing about what