lly thought profoundly. "I would rather have that bird out there in
the cage," she said.

Mildred was surprised and a little disappointed.

"Would you?" she asked, almost in a whisper. "Well, I will ask my
mamma to give me some money to buy it for you. I've got to go now."

Roy, who had been asleep, suddenly opened his eyes and looked lazily at
her. He crawled a little closer up to Molly and went asleep again.

"Here," said Molly, "take this."

She pulled out of her little store inside the bed where she kept her
treasures concealed a little bundle. It was her doll's wardrobe.
Mildred opened it.

"Why, how beautiful! Where did you get it? It would just fit one of
my new dolls."

"I made it," said Molly.

"You did? I wish I could make anything like that," said Mildred,
admiring the beautiful work.

"Would you mind something?" Molly asked, timidly. "Would you let me
kiss you?" She looked at her pathetically.

Mildred leaned over and kissed the poor little pale lips.

"Thank you," said Molly, with a flush on her pale cheeks.

"Good-bye. I will come again," said Mildred, gravely. The eyes of the
crippled girl brightened.

"Oh! will you! Thank you."

Mildred leaned over and kissed her again.

As she walked down the dark stairs and out of the narrow damp street
into the sunlight she seemed to enter a new world. It came to her how
different her lot was, not only from that of the poor little crippled
girl lying in that dark prison up that rickety stair, but from many and
many others who wanted nearly everything she had in such abundance.
She almost trembled to think how ungrateful and complaining she had
been, and a new feeling seemed to take possession of her.

VI.

During the hour of Mildred's absence there had been great excitement at
her home. They thought she was lost, and they were all hunting for her
everywhere when she walked in with her little bundle in her hand. She
might ordinarily have been punished for going off without permission,
but now they were all too glad to see her back, and she had such a good
excuse. Even Mammy confined herself to grumbling just a little.
Mildred rushed to her mother's room and told her everything about her
visit--about Molly and everything connected with her. She drew so
graphic a picture of the little cripple's condition that her mother at
once had a basket of food prepared and ordered her carriage. Mildred
begged to go with her, so they set