MILLIE'S VICTORY .







 CHAPTER VL.

THE click of the garden gate fell unheeded on Millie's
ear. Even Miss Conway's quick step failed to rouse
her, and her aunt opened the door with astonished
angry eyes. No dinner-cloth laid-the fire nearly out
-and Millie, with her work on the floor, intently
reading a brightly-covered book!
 Miss Conway had cause to be angry now, and so
Millie felt; she sprang- up trembling.
 Oh, aunt! I am so sorry. Please forgive me.
Oh aunt! aunt! For Miss Conway snatched the
volume away, and threw it on the fire.
 It wants something to brighten it," she said,
grimly. Millicent, go and fetch me the cane in the
corner of my bed-room."
 Millie shrank back, pale and frightened.
 Aunt, I will never do it again. I never will."
 Perhaps not. I am going to beat you," Miss
Conway returned, white with suppressed passion.
Millie did not move; she could not have walked up-
stairs, she was trembling so.
 "You won't go, you disobedient girl ?"
 Miss Conway lifted her umbrella, and struck her
niece; not once or twice, but blow after blow, till
Millie's piteous cries almost frightened her.
 Her passion was gone in a moment, and she felt
really sorry for what she had done; but too proud to
be kind, she went upstairs and took off her things.