man, and she suddenly felt an inclination to do something herself
for the hitherto neglected kitchen girl.

Accordingly, Nellie was summoned to the parlor and the state of her
wardrobe inquired into. It was found to be lamentably deficient in even
the necessary articles of clothing. Mrs. Stanley then turned her rag bag
inside out and rummaged through several boxes in the garret which had not
seen the light for several years. The result of her search was three or
four cast-off garments, which the cook said "were so bad the rag man would
hardly buy them." Mrs. Stanley, however, thought they were quite a gift,
and gave Nellie many injunctions as to when she should wear them. Nellie
thought it doubtful whether she should wear them all; but she said
nothing, and in a few days she left Mrs. Stanley's house for a more
pleasant home at Mr. Barnard's.

It was a great mystery to Nellie who it could be that had befriended her;
but if Mr. Barnard knew, he kept the knowledge to himself, and Nellie was
obliged to remain in ignorance. She was, however, satisfied that the
gentleman, whoever he was, was both able and willing to carry out his
plan, for money for the payment of her school bills was regularly remitted
to Mr. Barnard. At the time when she wished to leave New Haven, she had
written to Mr. Barnard on the subject, and in due time had received from
him a letter saying that the gentleman who was educating her was not only
willing but anxious to have her sent to Geneva.

Soon after her arrival there she chanced to meet Judge Fulton and his
wife. Something in their looks seemed familiar, and also awoke a painful
reminiscence of the dark kitchen and the lone garret far off in the great
city. She could not remember ever having seen them, and so dismissed the
subject from her mind, merely wondering if they knew that she who was to
be their brother's wife once lighted fires and cleaned potatoes as a
common servant girl.

The reader will perhaps have imagined that the gentleman who befriended
Nellie was none other than Judge Fulton. He was incited to this act of
kindness by the same benevolent feeling which prompted all his deeds of
charity. He had no daughters, and his intention was, first to see what
improvement she would make of her advantages, and if he were satisfied, he
would take her home as his adopted daughter. He was somewhat surprised
when, two years before the time of which we are speaking, he received
through Mr. Barnar