hadn't got anything to give her." Then, mistaking the cause of Miss
Carew's thoughtful silence, she added, nervously, "But perhaps you'd
rather have a new one made on purpose for you, miss. This one is
quite clean, but--"

"Yes, yes, I'd like to have this one; I'd rather have this one,
child. I was only thinking." Then, as she put the money for it into
Huldah's hand, she asked gently, "Will you tell me your story, dear,
presently, when I come to see Mrs. Perry? I should so like to know
it. Then I shall be better able to understand, and perhaps I could
help, or do something. I must not keep you now, or Mrs. Perry may
begin to worry about you."

"Yes, miss; I think I ought to go back now, and--and thank you, miss,
very much." Huldah was so excited she scarcely knew how to get her
words out. A great sense of relief and happiness filled her heart.
If Miss Rose would help her, she felt sure she would be safe and
happy; and Dick too.

She almost danced back over the sunny road, in spite of the scorching
sun. Her heart was lighter, she had eighteenpence in her hand to
give to Mrs. Perry, and she had a feast for Dick. Life seemed
beautiful, and happy, and hopeful. Could it have been only yesterday
morning that she was in that dreadful caravan, bruised, hungry,
miserable, and desperate to escape? It seemed impossible!

Suddenly, around the bend of the road ahead of her, appeared the head
and shoulders of a white horse,--and instantly all her world changed.
Her heart almost stood still with fright; then, with a low cry of
despair, she scrambled over the hedge and into a field on the other