shaved for a week, looked like a wilderness of stubble. His nose indicated habitual indulgence in alcoholic beverages. His eyes, likewise, were bloodshot,

praiseworthy regard to the laws of health. He was sitting in a chair pitched back against the wall, with

. She continued to gaze at him, half in astonishment, hal

're looking at? Hain't you n

n, who, she was surprised to find, d

nce I've been gone?" asked Mrs. Hard

so

felt lon

d good c

been

ntly to a jug, which s

the gal. How did yo

fied Ida. It seemed to indicate a degree of compli

by," said the nurse, looking signifi

she began to ta

to stop, are yo

d the man called Dick. "Why sh

prehensively, opening wid

ask

quiringly, at

hings," said the latter, grimly. "

aid you were going to see?"

t was intere

es

I'm t

ou

es

ay here," said Ida,

ng to do about it?" ask

e me back ear

take you back at all,"

d by a sudden impulse, she ran to the door, and had got it open when the

in such a hurry?" s

aid Ida, bursting into tears.

larly. "You see, Ida, we ain't got any l

, and I never shall,"

aid Dick. "You'll break my heart, yo

drew out a tattered red handkerchief, and m

uld not help laughing hysterically. She recovered herself instantly, and sai

hink he would

l tell her to carry

n't do it; so you might as well give up all thoughts of that first as last. You'r

on towards obeyi

o it for you

aking this with the shawl, carried them to a closet, in which she placed

"I guess you're saf

arry me back?" asked Ida,

want you here for the present. Besides, you're

ad to s

on purpose? They've been troubled with you long enough, and

They didn't send me off, and you'

looking menacingly at the child. "Have yo

mplain of you to the police, and they will put you

her to the closet already spoken of, unlocked it, a

remarked Dick, taking

"she makes more fuss th

to come it over her

the same account with which

. "I always said you was a deep 'un. I always say if Peg c

terfeit coin?" aske

an get off, and we are to have one

ly. "When this girl Ida gets a little tame

tray us if sh

on her fears so that she won't any more dare to

s. She had been snatched in a moment from parents, or those whom she regarded as such, and from a comfortable and happy though humble home, to this dismal place. In place of the kindne