SUSIE’S ROBIN.

and all through the happy days that followed, her little darling
grew more tame, and would wake her in the early morning
with its twittering; but, as the warm spring days began to
come, the little bird drooped, and would stand on its perch and
look out longingly at the budding maples.

Susie fancied that its eyes were less bright and the chirp was
almost a sigh; this hurt her tender little heart, and she spent
many hours by the cage trying to bring back somewhat of its
glad spirit, but all in vain.

One morning, when it was warm enough to open the windows,
Susie heard a great fluttering and chirping. On looking out at
the cage she saw a dainty little redbreast talking to her bird,
and seeming to beg it to come out and share its freedom; but
the cruel bars were very strong and it was of no avail to beat
the tender wings against them, and it soon sank exhausted in
the bottom of the cage. Then Susie knew what all the sadness
and drooping meant—the little bird was pining for its freedom ;
but it was hard to part with it now, after all her care and
trouble, and the woods were so large she should never see it
again, after once the cage door was open, and the restless little
wings skimming their way through the blue sky.

And this is what is troubling Susie, as she sits alone by the
brook; but right conquered at last, and rising, she followed
the well-worn path toward her home, resolved that the little
captive should be caged no longer, and that its evening song
should be one of glad freedom. :

How much dearer than ever before to Susie seems the little
bird, as she lifts the bright cage from its hook ; and tears are in
her soft blue eyes, as she thinks how lonely it will be without _
her morning greeting. I will take the cage to the woods, Susie
says to herself, and then perhaps my darling will light on a
branch near by, and sing me a little song of thanks.

Back to the woods go the dainty feet. Soon a spot is reached
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