l letter, telling him to go to that place where I am
afraid he has gone, and saying I was welcome to come home any time, if I
would leave the singing master. There was a bad word before the
'singing,' which I can't speak. I meant to go home some time and take
you with me. I hated the stage, and the pain got in my head, and I
forgot so many things after he said you were dead, but never forgot you,
although I didn't talk about you much. I couldn't, for a bunch came in
my throat and choked me, and my head seemed to open and shut on the top
when I thought of you. Col. Crompton has been very kind to me since I
came. I think now he is my father. I asked him once, and he said, No. I
believed him then, and accepted in my mind some Mr. Harris, for I knew
my mother was a true woman. We will find it all out, you and I."

"Yes," Eloise replied, "and the pain will go away, and you will tell me
more of my own father. I know now why I never could feel a daughter's
love for the other one. Does grandmother know? She was always kind to
me, and I love her."

Amy shook her head, and said, "I think not, but am not sure. It will be
clearer by and by. I must sleep now."

When she was tired she always slept, and, adjusting the cushions on the
sofa, Eloise made her lie down, and spread over her the little red cloak
which had been the means of bringing them together.

"Yes, that's right. Cover me with the dear old cloak Jakey gave me,"
Amy said sleepily. "You'll help me find him."

Eloise didn't know who Jakey was, or what connection he had with the
cloak; but she answered promptly, "Yes, I'll help you find him and
everything."

Thus reassured, Amy fell asleep, while Eloise sat by her until startled
by the entrance of Mrs. Biggs. That worthy woman had been busy telling
the servants everything she knew about Eloise since she came to
Crompton, and that she had always mistrusted she was somebody out of the
common. Then, as Eloise did not appear, and the carriage from Miller's
was still waiting at a dollar and a half an hour, it occurred to her
that if Eloise should not prove to be somebody out of the common she
would have to pay the bill, as she had ordered the turn-out. Going to
Amy's room, she walked in unannounced, and asked, "Be you goin' home
with me, or goin' to stay?"

"I don't know what I am to do," Eloise said, starting to her feet.

Amy decided for her. Mrs. Biggs had roused her, and, hearing what was
wanted, she protested so veh