20 A YEAR WITH NELLIE.

“She knows about it, and she means it all
for me,” thought Nellie. But the next minute
she winked away her tears as she remembered
that, besides herself, only Harry knew where
the cat had really been found, and Harry was
quite certain not to break his word.

“What is the matter, dear?” Miss Rayner
asked kindly, taking her by the hand and
drawing her forward. “You are almost crying.
Are you not well?”

“T have a headache, miss,” said Nellie, look-
ing down. It was a fact, for the stifling air of
the closed school-room had affected her head;
but even in saying it she was guilty again of
the very fault that had brought those tears of
shame to her eyes. She was causing someone
to believe what was not true.

“Poor child! So have J,” said the young
lady. “Never mind. We shall be out in the
fresh air directly, and then you will be
better.” ‘

Nellie was not the girl to ery for such a
small matter, and she felt rather ashamed to
have it thought that she was so babyish. If
she had been alone with Miss Rayner, she
thought she could have told her at once what