As time passed on, however, Dora, who was a close observer, began
to see things in their true light, and her life was far from being
happy. By her cousin Alice she was treated with a tolerable degree
of kindness, while Eugenia, without any really evil intention,
perhaps, seemed to take delight in annoying her sensitive cousin,
constantly taunting her with her dependence upon them, and asking
her sometimes how she expected to repay the debt of gratitude she
owed them. Many and many a night had the orphan wept herself to
sleep, in the low, scantily furnished chamber which had been
assigned her; and she was glad when at last an opportunity was
presented for her to be in a measure out of Eugenia's way, and at
the same time feel that she doing something towards earning her
living.

The oft-repeated threat of Bridget's mother that her daughter
should be removed, unless her wages were increased, was finally
carried into effect; and one Saturday night, Mrs. Deane was
startled by the announcement that Bridget was going to leave. In a
moment, Dora's resolution was taken, and coming to her aunt's
side, she said:

"Don't hire another girl, Aunt Sarah. Let _me_ help you. I
can do almost as much as Bridget, and you won't have to _pay_
me either. _I_ shall only be paying you."

Unclasping the handsome bracelet which had been purchased with a
portion of the remaining one hundred and fifty dollars, Eugenia,
ere her mother had time to reply, exclaimed:

"That is a capital idea! I wonder how you happened to be so