around the icy feet, she untied the long-sleeved apron which
covered her own naked arms, and laying it over her mother's
shoulders, tucked in the thin bedclothes; and then, herself all
shivering and benumbed, she sat down to wait and watch, singing
softly a familiar hymn, which had sometimes lulled her mother into
a quiet sleep.

At last, as her little round white arms grew purple with the cold,
she moved nearer to the bedside, and winding them lovingly around
her mother's neck, laid her head upon the pillow and fell asleep.
And to the angels, who were hovering near, waiting to bear their
sister spirit home, there was given charge concerning the little
girl, so that she did not freeze, though she sat there the
livelong night, calmly sleeping the sweet sleep of childhood,
while the mother at her side slept the long, eternal sleep of
death!

* * * * *




CHAPTER II.

THE FIRST AND LAST NEW YEAR'S CALL.


It was New Year's morning, and over the great city lay the deep,
untrodden snow, so soon to be trampled down by thousands of busy
feet. Cheerful fires were kindled in many a luxurious home of the