appy
moment then, for she found she _was_ happy. "Let's give him some bits of
meat."

"She's all right," thought Ernest, with a swift revulsion of feeling, and
he was as embarrassed as he was astonished when his cousin turned suddenly
to him:--

"If you'll take me in the boat again," she said, "I won't rock. I'm sorry I
did."

"It _is_ a fool trick," blurted out Ernest, "but you're all right, Gladys.
I'll take you anywhere you want to go."

Ellen had heard this conversation. Later in the morning she was alone for a
minute with Gladys, and the little girl said:--

"Don't you think it would be nice, Ellen, when we get home, to make up a
box of pretty things and send to Faith and Ernest?"

"I do, that," replied the surprised Ellen.

"I'm going to ask mother if I can't send them my music-box. They haven't
any piano."

"Why, you couldn't get another, Gladys."

"I don't care," replied the child firmly. "It would be so nice for evenings
and rainy days." She swallowed, because she had not grown tired of the
music box.

Ellen put her hands on the little girl's brow and cheeks and remembered the
sobbing in the night. "Do you feel well, Gladys?" she asked, with concern.
This unnatural talk alarmed her.

"I never felt any better," replied the child.

"Well, I wouldn't say anything to them about the music-box, dearie."

Gladys smiled. "I know. You think I'd be sorry after I let it go; but if I
am I'll talk with Vera."

Ellen laughed. "Do you think it will always be enough for you to hear her
say 'Ma-ma, Pa-pa?'" she asked.

Gladys smiled and looked affectionately at her good friend; but her lips
closed tightly together. Ellen knew all that Vera did; but the nurse loved
her still! The child was to have many a tussle with the hard mistress whose
chains she had worn all her short life, but Truth had spoken, and she had
heard; and Love was coming to help in setting her free.

CHAPTER XIII

A HEROIC OFFER

Jewel told her grandfather the tale of The Talking Doll while they walked
their horses through a favorite wood-road, Mr. Evringham keeping his eyes
on the animated face of the story-teller. His own was entirely impassive,
but he threw in an exclamation now and then to prove his undivided
attention.

"_You_ know it's more blessed to give than to receive, don't you, grandpa?"
added Jewel affectionately, as she finished; "because you're giving things
to people all the time, and nobody but God can give you