ey were rested. Indeed,
she wished them to remain a few days with her. But to this Annie would
by no means agree. The delay caused by Christie's coming had made her a
week later than her appointed time, and she feared greatly lest she
should lose her place; so she could not be induced to linger longer.
Her place was still secure for her; but a great disappointment awaited
Christie. The lady who had desired the service of a young girl to amuse
her children had either changed her mind or was not satisfied with
Christie's appearance; for after asking her many questions about her
long delay, as she called the three days beyond the specified week, she
told her she was afraid she could not engage her. She added to the pain
of Christie's disappointment by telling her that she did not look either
strong enough or cheerful enough to have the care of children; she had
better apply for some other situation.

"She's weary with her journey--poor thing!" suggested Mrs McIntyre,
kindly. "And she's a stranger here, besides--poor child!"

"A stranger!" Yes, Christie had just parted from Annie at the door of a
large house in the next street, bravely enough; but it was all the poor
girl could do now to restrain an outburst of tears.

"How old are you?" asked the lady, again.

Christie had just courage enough to tell her; but it was Mrs McIntyre
who answered the next question.

"Are your parents living?"

"No--poor thing! She is an orphan. There is a large family of them.
She came down with her sister, hoping to get a place. The elder sister
is trying to keep the little ones together."

Christie made a movement as if to silence the speaker. The lady looked
at a gentleman who sat at a distant window seeming to read.

"What do you think?" she asked.

He rose, and walked in a leisurely manner down the room, nodding to Mrs
McIntyre as he passed. As he returned, he paused, and said something in
an undertone to the lady. Christie caught the words.

"If anything was to happen to her, she would be on your hands. She
seems quite without friends."

Christie was on her feet in a moment. Her chair was pushed back with a
motion so sudden that the gentleman turned to look at her. She was
anything but pale now. Her cheeks were crimson, and there was a light
in her eyes that bade fair to be very soon quenched in tears.

"I am very sorry that I--" She could utter no more. Laying her hand on
Mrs McIntyre's arm, she said, husk