d locked
in each other's embrace until Jim came to the door to tell Chloe the
carriage was waiting which was to convey her to her new home.

Once more she strained her nursling to her breast, sobbing out the words:
"Good-by, darlin'! de good Lord bless an' keep you forebber an' ebber,
an' nebber leave you alone."

"Oh, mammy, mammy, don't leave me!" almost shrieked the child, clinging
to her with a convulsive grasp.

"Don't now, darlin'! don't go for to break dis ole heart! You knows I
_must_ go," said Chloe, gently disengaging herself. "We'll ask de Lord to
bring us together again soon, dear chile, an' I think he will 'fore
long," she whispered in Elsie's ear; and with another fond caress she
left her all drowned in tears, and half fainting with grief.

An hour might have passed--it seemed longer than that to Elsie--when
the door opened, and she started up from the sofa, where she had flung
herself in the first abandonment of her sorrow. But it was only Fanny,
come to tell her that Jim had brought her horse to the door, and to
prepare her for her ride.

She quietly submitted to being dressed; but, ah! how strange it seemed to
have any other than Chloe's hands busy about her! It swelled her young
heart wellnigh to bursting, though Fanny, who evidently understood her
business well, was very kind and attentive, and full of unobtrusive
sympathy and love for her young charge.

The brisk ride in the fresh air did Elsie good, and she returned quite
calm and composed, though still very sad.

Fanny was in waiting to arrange her dress again, and when that was done,
went down to bring up her supper. It was more tempting than usual, but
Elsie turned from it with loathing.

"Do, Miss Elsie, _please_ do try to eat a little," urged Fanny, with
tears in her eyes. "What will Massa Horace say if he axes me 'bout your
eatin' an' I'm 'bliged to tell him you didn't eat never a mouthful of
dinner, an' likewise not the first crumb of your supper?"

That, as Fanny well knew, was a powerful argument with Elsie, who,
dreading nothing so much as her father's displeasure, which was sure to
be excited by such a report of her conduct, sat down at once and did her
best to make a substantial meal.

Fanny was not more than half satisfied with the result of her efforts;
but seeing it was useless to press her any further, silently cleared away
the tea-things and carried them down-stairs, and Elsie was left alone.

Alone! She looked around u