When within
two hundred yards of it, Edith, who had been on the watch, came bounding
out, flew into Edward's arms, and covered him with kisses.

"You naughty Edward, to frighten us so!"

"Look, Edith, I have brought you a nice little play-fellow. Welcome
him, dearest."

Edith extended her hand as she looked into the boy's face.

"He is a pretty boy, Edward, much prettier than Pablo."

"No, Missy Edith," said Pablo; "Pablo more man than he."

"Yes, you may be more man, Pablo; but you are not pretty."

"And where is Alice?"

"She was getting supper ready, and I did not tell her that I saw you
coming, because I wanted first kiss."

"You little jealous thing! But here comes Alice. Dear Alice, you have
been very uneasy, but it was not my fault," said Edward, kissing her.
"If I had not been where I was this poor boy would have been killed as
well as his father. Make him welcome, Alice, for he is an orphan now,
and must live with us. I have brought many things in the cart, and
to-morrow we will bring more, for we have no bed for him, and to-night
he must sleep with me."

"We will make him as happy as we can, Edward; and we will be sisters to
him," said Alice, looking at the boy, who was blushing deeply. "How old
are you? And what is your name?"

"I am thirteen years old next January," replied the boy.

"And your Christian name?"

"I will tell you by and by," replied he, confused.

They arrived at the cottage, and Edward and Pablo were busy unpacking
the cart, and putting all the contents into the inner chamber, where
Pablo now slept, when Alice, who, with Edith, had been talking to the
boy, came to Edward and said--"Edward, she's a girl!"

"A girl!" replied Edward, astonished.

"Yes, she has told me so, and wished me to tell you."

"But why does she wear boys' clothes?"

"It was her father's wish, as he was very often obliged to send her to
Lymington to a friend's house, and he was afraid of her getting into
trouble; but she has not told me her story as yet--she says that she
will to-night."

"Well, then," replied Edward, "you must make up a bed for her in your
room to-night. Take Pablo's bed, and he shall sleep with me. To-morrow
morning I will bring some more bedding from her cottage."

"How Humphrey will be surprised when he comes back!" said Alice,
laughing.

"Yes; she will make a nice little wife for him some years hence; and she
may prove an heiress perhaps, for there is an iron chest