odding wearily along, and at length reached the end of
her journey, only to find the house silent and deserted.

"Mercy!" she piped shrilly, pushing open the screen and stumbling into
the hot kitchen. "I'se dot a letter! Where is you? Susie! Rossie!"

Still no answer. Puzzled at this unusual state of affairs, she raced
from room to room as fast as her short, tired legs would carry her, but
no one was there.

"Tabby!" she shrieked. "Dory! What did you leave me for?"

A panic seized her. She had been deserted! Tears gathered in her
sea-blue eyes, and trickled in rivulets down her flushed cheeks. She
was afraid to stay alone. Why had everyone left her? Back to the
kitchen she pattered. It was empty, but a fire still burned in the
stove and savory odors from the oven lured her on. Curiosity overcame
her fear for a moment, and with a mighty tug, she jerked open the door,
revealing Gloriana's gingerbread just done to a turn.

"Dingerbread!" cried the child, gloating over the huge, golden sheet
which smelled, oh, so good! "I want some now!" And forgetting that
the oven was hot, she seized the pan with both chubby fists, but
instantly let go her hold and roared with pain, for ten rosy fingers
were cruelly burned, and how they did smart!

Suddenly above the wail of her lusty voice came the sound of excited
voices and flying feet; and the next instant frightened Tabitha with
her adopted brood in close pursuit, flew into the kitchen, and gathered
up the hurt, sobbing baby in her arms, crooning tenderly, "There,
there, dearie, you mustn't cry any more. We've all come back. We were
hunting you. Where did you go?"

"Oh, see her hands!" cried Irene, shuddering in sympathy. "She has
burned herself!"

"But the gingerbread isn't burned at all," volunteered Susie with
satisfaction, after a keen and anxious scrutiny of the spicy loaf
half-way out of the oven.

"For goodness' sake!" ejaculated Tabitha, not having noticed the seared
fingers up to that moment, "What do you do for burns?"

"Bring some butter," ordered Gloriana, remembering Granny Conover's
first remedy for burns.

"Mamma uses molasses," said Irene; and Susie and Inez, recovering their
senses at the same instant, dived into the pantry, returning
immediately, one with a crock of butter in her hand, and the other
bearing a bucket of molasses; and before either of the older girls
could intervene, they plunged both of Janie's dirty, scorched hands