ard, weeping bitterly. It was in vain that
Alice, who was with her, and who by this time was able to stand alone,
climbed up to her side, patting her cheeks, and trying various ways to
win her attention. She still wept on, unmindful of the sound of rapid
footsteps upon the grass, nor until twice repeated did she hear the
words, "Why, Mary, what is the matter? What's happened?"--then looking
up she saw Billy Bender, who raised her in his arms, and insisted upon
knowing what was the matter.

Laying her head on his shoulder, she sobbed out, "She's gone,--she's
gone, and there's nobody left but Sally. Oh dear, oh dear!"

"Gone! Who's gone?" asked Billy.

"Jenny," was Mary's reply. "She's gone to Boston, and won't come back
till next May; and I loved her so much."

"Oh, yes, I know," returned Billy. "I met them all on their way to the
depot; but I wouldn't feel so badly. Jenny will come again, and
besides that, I've got some real good news to tell you.

"About Ella?" said Mary.

"No, not about Ella, but about myself; I'm coming here to live with
you."

"Coming here to live!" repeated Mary with astonishment. "What for?
Are your folks all dead?"

Billy smiled and answered, "Not quite so bad as that. I went to school
here two years ago, and I know I learned more than I ever did at home
in two seasons. The boys, when Henry Lincoln is away, don't act half
as badly as they do in the village; and then they usually have a lady
teacher, because it's cheaper I suppose, for they don't pay them half
as much as they do gentlemen, and I think they are a great deal the
best. Any way, I can learn the most when I go to a woman."

"But what makes you come here, and what will your mother do?" asked
Mary.

"She's got a sister come from the West to stay with her, and as I
shall go home every Saturday night, she'll get along well enough. I
heard Mr. Parker in the store one day inquiring for a boy to do
chores. So after consulting mother, I offered my services, and was
accepted. Won't we have real nice times going to school together, and
then I've brought a plaything for you. Are you afraid of dogs?"

So saying he gave a whistle, and a large Newfoundland dog came
bounding through the orchard. At first Mary drew back in alarm, for
the dog, though young, was unusually large; but her fears soon
vanished when she saw how affectionate he was, licking her own and
Alice's hands, and bounding playfully upon his master's shoulders.

"He is