72 BE TRUE.

groped her way up the back staits
to the child’s apartment.

“My poor child,” said she, approach- ~

ing the bed where Laura lay tossing
in feverish restlessness, “here is some-
thing for you to take.”

The little girl started from her pil-
low, gazed a moment as if seized
with sudden terror, and then sinking
back, exclaimed, “ It is, it is my own
dear ——”

“Don’t be frightened,” said the
lady, “itis Mrs. Elmore; I heard you
cough, dear, and couldn’t sleep.”

“You are very kind,” said Laura,
now wide awake, and her cheeks
glowing with fever and excitement,
and again she fixed her eyes, full of
incredulous wonder, upon the lady.

“You are not afraid of me?” said

Mrs. Elmore.