stone wall.

"My child," said Mr. Morris, "I fear your mother has left you here on
purpose, and that she will never come back. If she is in the place, you
shall go to her as soon as we can find her. If you stay here you will
freeze. Come with us and we will give you a supper, and let you warm
yourself before a rousing fire, while we search for your mother."

The idea of supper and a rousing fire took hold of the little outcast's
feelings. Gathering her rags close to her chilled body she stepped
forward, and said--

"I'll go with you."

"What is your name?" inquired Jessie.

"Madge!" said the child, curtly.

"Madge what?" asked Uncle Morris.

"Madge Clifton!" said the child.

"Which means, I suppose, Margaret Clifton," said the old gentleman. "A
pretty name enough, and I wish its owner was in a prettier condition. But
come, let us hasten out of this cold biting wind."

Poor little, shivering Madge! Waiting so long for her mother, alone and in
a strange place, had made her heart heavy and sad. Her limbs were so stiff
with cold she could scarcely walk, at first. But the kind looks of the
good old gentleman, and the loving words of Jessie, cheered her on; and in
a few minutes they entered the back door of Glen Morris Cottage.

CHAPTER XI.

Madge Clifton's Mother.

"What have you here, my brother?" asked Mrs. Carlton, as, in response to a
message from Mr. Morris, she entered the kitchen, where poor Madge sat on
a cricket before the range, looking, as Jessie afterwards said, "like a
cat in a strange garret."

"She's a heap o' rags and dirt, mem," interposed the servant, who did not
fancy the introduction of such an unsightly object into her prim-looking
dominions.

"She is a poor, starving, and half-frozen girl, without any kind mother to
take care of her and love her," said Jessie, who feared, from her mother's
looks, that poor Madge was as unwelcome a guest to her, as she was to the
kitchen-maid.

"She is a poor, little human waif, which has floated to our door on a sea
of trouble and misfortune, sister," observed Mr. Morris. "If _opportunity_
is the gate of _duty_, then we owe it to this little girl, and to the
Great Father who sent her to our doors, to relieve her wants, and if needs
be, provide for her in future."

This view of her relation to poor little Madge, somewhat softened Mrs.
Carlton's feelings. She was a very kind woman--in fact, she was nearly all
_heart_--but she was fastidiously