ecent to wear."

"Why, my dear, don't mind about that," said Ruth, taking the lathlike girl
in her arms. "If you had asked us we would have let you try on the things,
I am sure."

"Aunt Suse would near 'bout give me my nevergitovers--and she will yet!"

"No she won't," Ruth reassured her. "Don't be afraid of your aunt any
longer."

"That is what I tell her," Tom said warmly.

"Say! You won't put me in no home, will you?" asked Bella, with sudden
anxiety.

"A 'home'?" repeated Ruth, puzzled.

"She means a charitable institution, poor dear," said Aunt Kate.

"That's it, Missus," Bella said. "I knew a girl that was out of one of
them homes. She worked for Mrs. Grubson. She said all the girls wore brown
denim uniforms and had their hair slicked back and wasn't allowed even to
whisper at table or after they got to bed at night."

"Nothing like that shall happen to you," Ruth declared.

"Where is your father, Bella?" Tom asked.

"I don't know. Last I saw of him he came through here with a medicine
show. I didn't tell Aunt Suse, but I ran away at night and went to Broxton
to see him. But he said business was poor. He got paid so much a bottle
commission on the sales of Chief Henry Red-dog's Bitters. He didn't think
the show would keep going much longer."

"Oh!"

"You know, they didn't know he was Montague Fitzmaurice, the great
Shakespearean actor. Pa often takes such jobs. He ain't lazy like Aunt
Suse says. Why, once he took a job as a ballyhoo at a show on the Bowery
in Coney Island. But his voice ain't never been what it was since."

"Do you expect him to return here for you?" Ruth asked, while the other
listeners exchanged glances and with difficulty kept their faces straight.

"Oh, yes, Miss. Just as soon as he is in funds. Or he'll send for me. He
always does. He knows I hate it here."

"Does he know how your aunt treats you?" Aunt Kate interrupted.

"N--not exactly," stammered Bella. "I haven't told him all. I don't want
to bother him. It--it ain't always so bad."

"I tell you it's got to stop!" Tom said, with warmth.

"Of course she shall not remain in this woman's care any longer," Aunt
Kate agreed.

"But we must not take Bella away from this locality," Ruth observed. "When
her father comes back for her she must be here--somewhere."

"Oh, lady!" exclaimed Bella. "Send me to New York to Mrs. Grubson's. I bet
she'd keep me till pa opens somewhere in a good show."

But Ruth shook her head. She