nough
to bear it--and to--to come back to you when it's over. Say you love me
still, mother."

"_Love_ you!" exclaimed Mrs. Staunton.

"Yes, mother, although I'm a thief."

"Bless the boy! that has nothing to do with it. You're my boy, whatever
you are."

"Then you do still love me?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Of course I love the lad!"

George went straight to the door and opened it. He walked straight into
the other room.

"I'm ready to take the punishment, sir," he said, going straight up to
Mr. Gering.

His manner and the look on his face amazed his late employer.

"Eh--eh--well, young sir," he said, backing a step or two. "And so you
confess that you robbed me?"

"I do."

"And you know what lies before you?"

"Yes."

"Have you been deceiving that mother of yours again?"

"No; I've been telling her the truth at last."

"Effie, Effie!" called Mrs. Staunton from the bedroom.

Effie ran to her mother.

"Do you know, young man," said Mr. Gering, "that you have got a very
remarkable sister?"

"Do you mean Effie? Oh, I always knew she was a girl in a thousand."

"A girl in _ten_ thousand, more like. Do you know, young rascal, that
she has been pleading with me for you, and--'pon my word, it's
true--melting my old heart till I don't know what I'm doing? In short,
I've made her a promise."

"A promise! Oh, sir, what?"

"A promise that I'll let you off--all but the moral punishment. That, of
course, you'll have to bear."

"Mr. Gering, is this true?"

"Yes, it's true. I'm doing it all on account of your sister. You may
come back to the office to-morrow, and consider that you've got a fresh
start. Now, for goodness' sake, don't keep me any longer. Open the door,
one of you children, can't you? I must hurry back to my work."

* * * * *

That is the story, for George really did learn his lesson, and in his
case the new leaf was turned. He will carry the scars, however, of that
time of sin and suffering to his grave.

Effie kept her promise, and went as governess to little Freda Harvey for
a time, but only for a time. When money affairs were straight again, she
gladly returned to the life which she really loved, and is now
superintendent of one of the wards at St. Joseph's.

It is true that there are whispers afloat with regard to her and
Lawson--whispers which always give a feeling of consternation in the
ward which she manages so skillfully--but only Effie herself can t