A DOG OF FLANDERS. 147

came, jaded and broken, into his
wife’s presence. “It is lost forever,”
he said with an ashen cheek and a
quiver in his stern voice. ‘“ We have
looked with lanterns everywhere: it
is gone — the little maiden’s portion
and all!”

His wife put the money into his
hand, and told him how it had come
to her. The strong man sank trem-
bling into a seat and covered his
face, ashamed and almost afraid. “I
have been cruel to the lad,” he mut-
tered at length; “I deserved not to
have good at his hands.”

Little Alois, taking courage, crept
close to her father and_ nestled
against him her fair curly head.
“Nello may come here again, fa-