oiled
up, and with white cheeks. The strange pallor of her trembling lips, the
despair in her eyes, the shrinking, hunted look of face and figure,
almost frightened her visitor. "I hope you are not vexed with me for
coming in," faltered Katherine, deferentially; "but they said you wanted
employment, and I should like to give you some. You must be ill, you
look so pale. Can I not be of some use to you?"

The girl's pale cheek flushed as, partially recovering herself, she
stood up holding the back of her chair, her eyes fixed on the floor; she
seemed endeavoring to speak, but the words did not come. At last, in a
low, hesitating voice: "You are too good. I have tried to find work
vainly; now I do not think I have the force to do any." The color faded
away from the poor sunken cheeks, and the eyes hid themselves
persistently under the downcast lids.

"I am sure you are very weak," returned Katherine, tenderly, for there
was something inexpressibly touching in the hopelessness of the
stranger's aspect. "But some good food and the prospect of employment
will set you up, When you are a little stronger and know me better you
will perhaps tell me how Mr. Payne and I can best help you. We all want
each other's help at times; and life must not be thrown away, you know.
I do not wish to intrude upon you, but you see we are nearly of an age,
and we ought to understand and help each other. It is my turn now; it
may be yours by-and-by."

"Mine!" with unspeakable bitterness.

"Do sit down," said Katherine, who felt her tears very near her eyes,
"and I will sit by you for a little while. Why, you are unfit to stand,
and you are so cold!" She pulled off her gloves, and taking one of the
poor girl's hands in both her own soft warm ones, chafed it gently. No
doubt practically charitable people would smile indulgently at
Katherine's enthusiastic sympathy; but she was new to such work, and
felt that she had to deal with no common subject. Whether it was the
tender tone or the kindly touch, but the hard desperate look softened,
and big tears began to roll down, and soon she was weeping freely,
quietly, while she left her hand in Katherine's, who held it in silence,
feeling how the whole slight frame shook with the effort to control
herself.

At length Katherine rose and went downstairs to take counsel with Mrs.
Dodd. "She seems quite unable to recover herself. Ought she not to have
a little wine or something?"

"Yes, miss; it's just