As Nelly's words fell soft and mild.

They left her to her grief and shame;
No more will little Nelly stay
Within her power to harm or kill--
She goes with her new friends away.

The surgeon's mother heard the tale--
A very strange and touching one--
Of how the dog, with instinct strange,
Had sought the succour of her son.

And how poor Nelle he had brought
To ask for her the same kind aid;
And how a wicked woman's sin
Had been by this same act betrayed.

And, dwelling in her home alone,
She asked her son the child to send
To dwell with her and cheer her age,
By being a merry little friend.

She wished, too, that the dog should come,
And in her house with Nelly dwell;
A trusty guardian for them both,
Certain to do his duty well.

[Illustration]

And thus through Tray's strange cleverness
The pair a country home have found,
Where all things dogs and children love
About them everywhere abound.

Meadows all golden in the sun,
With buttercups of golden sheen,
And daisies, with their silver eyes,
On every side by them are seen.

Tall trees that give a pleasant shade,
And birds that in the branches sing;
Sweet apple blossoms, pink and white,
The orchard trees around them fling.

Together o'er the pastures green,
Nelly and Tray delighted run,
Chasing the yellow butterflies
That flutter in the summer sun.

Or resting by the singing brook,
Sit side by side amidst the flowers;
Two quiet happy playfellows
All through the sunny noontide hours.

And Nelly thinks, "How good is God,
Who made this lovely summer day,
And gave me for my own dear pet,
As friend and guard, MY OLD DOG TRAY."

[Illustration]

* * * * *

WARNE'S NURSERY LITERATURE.

"Plenty to praise in 'Warne's Nursery Literature.' The
artistic character of their publications is near
perfection."

_Daily Telegraph_.

WARNE'S "EXCELSIOR" TOY-BOOKS.

6. The Book of Trades
7. The Children in the Wood
8. The Sunday A B C
9. Edith's Alphabet
10. The Object Alphabet
11. Jack in the Box
13. Punch and Judy
14. Cinderella
16. Nursery Rhyme Alphabet
17. Cock Robin's Courtship, &c.
18. The Zoological Gardens
20. Nursery Numbers
21. Banquet of Birds
22. Nurs