ister. She
uttered no expression of pain or surprise, but, after hearing what her
brother said, looked down upon the floor, and seemed lost in meditation.

"My poor children!" such were the thoughts that passed through the mind
of Mrs. Ellis. "If I could only screen you from these dreadful
consequences! If I only were the sufferer, I could bear the burden
uncomplainingly. Ah! will this cup never be full? Is there no hope? How
earnestly I have sought to win him back again, Heaven only knows."

From these reflections Mrs. Ellis was aroused by the voice of Kate, who
had arisen up and was taking from a nail in the wall her bonnet and an
old merino coat.

"Where is the tavern, Henry?" said she.

"What tavern?" answered the boy.

"The tavern where you saw father."

"In Second street."

"Why do you wish to know?" inquired Mrs. Ellis.

"I will go for him. He'll come home for me."

"No--no, Kate. Don't think of such a thing!" said Mrs. Ellis, speaking
from the impulse of the moment.

"It won't be of any use," remarked Henry. "Besides, it's very dark out,
sister, and the tavern where I saw him is a long distance from here.
Indeed I wouldn't go, Kate. He isn't at all himself."

The young girl was not in the least influenced by this opposition, but,
rather, strengthened in her purpose. She knew that the air was damp and
chilly, from an approaching easterly storm; and the thought of his
being exposed to cold and rain at night, in the streets, touched her
heart with a painful interest in her erring, debased, and fallen parent.

"It will rain to-night," said she, looking at her brother.

"I felt a fine mist in the driving wind just as I came near the door,"
replied Henry.

"If father is not himself, he may fall in the street, and perish in the
cold."

"I don't think there is any danger of that, sister. He will be home
after awhile. At any rate, there is little chance of your finding him,
for he won't be likely to remain long at the tavern where I left him."

"If I can't find him, so much the worse," replied the girl, firmly.
"But, unless mother forbids my going, I must seek him and bring him
home."

Kate turned her eyes full upon her mother's face, as she said this,
and, in an attitude of submission, awaited her reply.

"I think," said Mrs. Ellis, after a long silence, "that little good
will come of this; yet, I cannot say no."

"Then I will find him and bring him home," was the animated response of
Kate.

"