GRAN DMOTHER > PETS.

ee Denier Clawke

A LITTLE fair-haired girl was lying: asleep on the seat of a railway-carriage. So
sound asleep was she that she did not rouse up when the train stopped and a lady
got in—an acquaintance of hae, dagy already sitting beside the child, for the two began at
once to talk.

“Who is your small travelling companion ?” asked the new-comer.

“Mrs. Prickard’s grandchild. .Her mother died lately in ee so she is oe sent

home. I have only had charge of her from London.”
. “Mrs. Prickard?” said the other. “What, that fine- looking sd lady who lives all
alone with her maid and her pet dog? Dear me! what will she
do with a child? It will oe Bee be
likes to undertake such a

“The child will put
joint,” said the first lady.
“or else the dog will put |

added, ‘in French, “the
Little Maisie had indeed.
had heard much of |
said. She was just
to assure them that
so cruelly to any dog,
dreadful prophecy that
would be sure to do it
be a terrible place if
happen here! And

   
 
  
 
 
  
  
  

-be a great burden. I wonder she
charge.”
the dog’s nose out of
" “Ves.” said the other,
hers.—But hush!” she
child is waking up.”
already waked up, and
what the two friends
starting up indignantly
she wouldnever behave
when they added that
if she did not the dog
to her. England must
such things could
_ what was that which
they were saying just before about her being a
charge and a.burden to her grandmother? It . had
always seemed so natural that she should be taken care of and petted by everybody, that
the thought of being unwelcome was strange to her and very disagreeable.
So it was a very timid as well as a pale and tired little face that showed itself by the
cheerful firelight when Mrs. Prickard took off the little one’s hat and looked at her, and