at we cannot let you have our little Bessie, even with the
prospect of her learning to scour knives and pare potatoes, and
possibly having a few thousands, if she does well. Archie would as
soon part with his eyes as with Bessie; while nothing short of an
assured fortune, and that a large one, would induce me to give her
up. She is in one sense my stock in trade--"

"Heartless wretch!" dropped from the indignant lady's lips. "Her stock
in trade! What does she mean? Does she play out this child for her own
base purposes?"

Then she read on:

"Strangers are always attracted by her, and through her we make so
many pleasant acquaintances. Indeed, she quite throws me into the
shade, but I am not at all jealous. I am satisfied to be known only
as Bessie's mother. I am very proud of her, and hope some day to see
her at least a countess."

"Countess! Fool!" muttered Miss Betsey, and read on:

"The inclosed photograph is like her in features, but fails, I think, in
expression, but I send it, as it will give you some idea of her as she
is now."

Here Miss Betsey stopped, and taking a card from the bit of tissue paper
in which it was wrapped, gazed earnestly and with a feeling of intense
yearning and bitter disappointment upon the beautiful face, whose great
wide-open, blue eyes looked at her, just as they had looked at her on
the sands at Aberystwyth. The photographer's art had succeeded admirably
with Bessie, and made a most wonderful picture of childish innocence and
beauty, besides bringing out about the mouth and into the eyes that
patient, half sorry expression which spoke to Miss Betsey of loneliness
and hunger far up in the fourth and fifth stories of fashionable hotels,
where the little girl often ate her smuggled dinner of rolls and nuts
and raisins, and whatever else her mother could convey into her pocket
unobserved by those around her.

"Yes, she looks as if a big slice of plum pudding or mince pie would do
her good! Poor little thing, and I am not to have her," Miss Betsey
said, with a lump in her throat, as she continued reading:

"You saw her once, I know, three years ago, at Aberystwyth, though
she had no idea then who the funny woman was who asked her so many
questions. Why didn't you make yourself known to us? Archie would
have been delighted to meet you. He never saw you, I believe. And
why didn't you speak to me when I went by as Bessie says