irls sat about in groups in
the pleasant shady garden, and talked of the very sad breaking-up day
they were to have on the morrow, and wondered if, when they returned to
school again, Annie and little Nan would have been found. Cecil Temple,
Dora Russell, and one or two others were sitting together and whispering
in low voices. Mary Price joined them, and said anxiously:

"I don't think the doctor is satisfied about Hester, Perhaps I ought not
to have listened, but I heard him talking to Miss Danesbury just now; he
said she must be got to sleep somehow, and she is to have a composing
draught to-night."

"I wish poor Hetty would not turn away from us all," said Cecil; "I wish
she would not quite give up hope; I do feel sure that Nan and Annie will
be found yet."

"Have you been praying about it, Cecil?" asked Mary, kneeling on the
grass, laying her elbows on Cecil's knees and looking into her face. "Do
you say this because you have faith?"

"I have prayed and I have faith," replied Cecil in her simple, earnest
way. "Why, Dora, what is the matter?"

"Only that it's horrid to leave like this," said Dora; "I--I thought my
last day at school would have been so different and somehow I am sorry I
spoke so much against that poor little Annie."

Here Cecil suddenly rose from her seat, and going up to Dora, clasped her
arms round her neck.

"Thank you, Dora," she said with fervor; "I love you for those words."

"Here comes Susy," remarked Mary Price. "I really don't think _anything_
would move Susy; she's just as stolid and indifferent as ever. Ah, Susy,
here's a place for you--oh, what _is_ the matter with Phyllis? see how
she's rushing toward us! Phyllis, my dear, don't break your neck."

Susan, with her usual nonchalance, seated herself by Dora Russell's side.
Phyllis burst excitedly into the group.

"I think," she exclaimed, "I really, really do think that news has come
of Annie's father. Nora said that Janet told her that a foreign letter
came this morning to Mrs. Willis, and somebody saw Mrs. Willis talking to
Miss Danesbury--oh, I forgot, only I know that the girls of the school
are whispering the news that Mrs. Willis cried, and Miss Danesbury said,
'After waiting for him four years, and now, when he comes back, he won't
find her!' Oh dear, oh dear! there is Danesbury. Cecil, darling love, go
to her, and find out the truth."

Cecil rose at once, went across the lawn, said a few words to Miss
Danesbury, and ca