ver her shoulders a light shawl which she had taken from the
bureau. Then she hurried on.

Their course lay through the muddy alley for several blocks. When they
emerged they were in a dimly lighted cross street. The air was chill,
and the thinly clad woman shivered. Carmen, fresh from the tropics,
felt the contrast keenly. A few moments' rapid walking down the street
brought them to a large building of yellow brick, surrounded by a high
board fence. The woman unfastened the gate and hurried up to the door,
over which, by the feeble light of the street lamp, Carmen read, "The
Little Sisters of the Poor."

A black-robed woman admitted them and went to summon the Sister
Superior. Carmen marveled at her strange attire. A moment later they
were silently ushered into an adjoining room, where a tall woman,
similarly dressed, awaited them.

"Sister," said Jude excitedly, "here's a little kid--you got to care
for her until she finds her friends!"

The Sister Superior instantly divined the status of the woman. "Let
the child wait here a moment," she said, "and you come with me and
tell your story. It would be better that she should not hear."

In a little while they appeared again. Carmen was drowsing in her
chair.

"She's chock full of religion," the woman was saying.

"But you," the Sister replied, "what will you do? Go back?"

"God, no!" cried the woman. "They would murder me!"

"Then you will stay here until--"

"No, no! I have friends--others like myself--I will go to them. I--I
couldn't stay here--with her," nodding toward the girl. "But--you will
take care of her?"

"Surely," returned the Sister in a calm voice.

Jude looked at Carmen for a moment. She made as if she would speak.
Then she turned abruptly and went swiftly out into the chill night.

"Come," said the Sister to Carmen, extending a hand. "Poor little
thing!" she murmured as they mounted the stairs. "Poor little thing!"

CHAPTER 2

Carmen was astir next morning long before the rising-bell sounded its
shrill summons through the long corridors. When she opened her eyes
she gazed at the ceiling above in perplexity. She still seemed to feel
the tossing motion of the boat, and half believed the bell to be the
call to the table, where she should again hear the cheery voice of
Harris and meet the tolerant smile of Mrs. Reed. Then a rush of
memories swept her, and her heart went down in the flood. She was
alone in a great foreign city! She tu