coffin lid, as if to keep from falling, when with others she gazed
upon the pale face which, in its dreamless slumber, looked calm and
placid as that of a child.

There were but few who knew of Miss Grundy's sin, and her secret was
buried in Patsy's grave, where often a mother's form was bending and a
mother's tears were shed, when the world was dark and still, and there
was no eye to see, save that of Him who said, "Go and sin no more."




CHAPTER X.

WINTER AT THE POOR-HOUSE.


One afternoon about the middle of October, Mary sat under an
apple-tree in the orchard, weeping bitterly. It was in vain that
Alice, who was with her, and who by this time was able to stand alone,
climbed up to her side, patting her cheeks, and trying various ways to
win her attention. She still wept on, unmindful of the sound of rapid
footsteps upon the grass, nor until twice repeated did she hear the
words, "Why, Mary, what is the matter? What's happened?"--then looking
up she saw Billy Bender, who raised her in his arms, and insisted upon
knowing what was the matter.

Laying her head on his shoulder, she sobbed out, "She's gone,--she's
gone, and there's nobody left but Sally. Oh dear, oh dear!"