rrence, the more certain they were on that point. When Grannie questioned her carefully, Alison confessed that while she was attending to her two rather troublesome customers, it would

Clay girl," said Grannie. "Oh, yes, that Clay girl is at

at present," said Alison, heaving a heavy

why shouldn't you have th

to Jim until I am cleared, and I love him so much, Grannie, and he loves me so much that i

e cleared werry soon, Alison, for there's a God above, and you are a poor orphin girl, and we have his promise that he looks out

Shaw did not go on his knees to Alison to return; and one day Jim, who did still call at the Reeds' notwithstanding Alison's prohibition, brought the gloomy tidings that Shaw was seeing other girls with a v

oke. "I don't want to see anyone in my house that I don't offer a chair to, but I can't thi

s it," said Alison, speaking pert

into the chair Grannie had offered him, placed his big elbows on his knees, pus

t a bit for Ally-she was so bright and genteel-looking; and no one thinks she's done it. If

e; but Alison knew the conclusion of

or another post to-day; I'll begin to study the papers, and see what can be done. It

" said Jim, whose brow had not relax

her head a

evidently did not intend to pursue

knew also that Harry had been taken from school quite a year too soon; he knew well that Alison's bread winnings were necess

g suddenly to his feet, "I

y will you waste ou

w, you look at me, Alison Reed. I am big, aint I, and I'm strong, and I earn good wages, right good-for a man as isn'

annie, "it's a powe

m thinking. I am all alone in the world; I haven't kith nor kin belonging to me, only an uncle in Australia, and he don't count, as I never set eyes on him. I'd h

d Alison, who, notwithstanding that her heart was a

es, but did not reply. She lowered her own eyes th

houldn't I help the lads and Grannie a bit? You'd have as snug a home as any girl in London; and I'd be proud to work for you. I wouldn't want you to do any more shopwork

n't say any more,

to a low sort of wail. She sank on a chair, laid her he

uld try and persuade he

asonable enough. Two pounds a week! Lor' bless

ask?" he

ck again, Jim; go away now and come back again.

uld not look at him. She was sobbing in a

right thing to do; everything else is wrong. And see here, Alison, I'll take a couple

about the children is a p'int to be considered. You go

his hands, raise the tearful face, kiss the tears away, and, in short, take the fortress by storm. But Grannie's presence prevented this, and

xt Tuesday to get m

ch he did not hear. The next

s had died away Alison

Grannie," she said. "It wa

d," said Mrs. Reed. "We'l

o proper pride to marry Jim a

en will be home in a minute to tea. After tea you and me

ison knew her every mood. She perceived now, by her tightly shut up lips, and the little compression,

n came in she cut bread and margerine for them, for b

old woman and the young found themselves alone. The lamp was lit, and the little ro

ust," she said. "It's a month to-day, a

plied Alison. "It is close

We must have a nice Christmas for the children, and we will too. We'll all be cheerful on Christmas Day. Jim might as wel

said Alison. "We miss what I

," said Gra

e postman's sharp knock sounded on the little door. Alison went to get the letter. It was for Grannie, fro

at no one noticed it. She unfastened the flap of the envelope slowly and carefully, and, taking the letter out, began to read it. It was a request from the manager that she wou

ral years. Such letters meant many of the comforts which money brings; they meant warm fires, and

e, "that's nice. You have nearly finis

rannie, with a sort

w you working a

longer I may go on with plain needlework, but that special twist and the catching up of the loop in the quilting part of the feather-stitching, it's beyond me, darlin'. 'Taint that I can't see how to do it, 'taint t

ead in the same position an hour or two ago. There was plenty of hope in Alison's grief, heart-broken as it seemed, but there was no hope at all in the old

aughter. There was a faint shadow of reproach in her tone. "

it," said Aliso

t should be done. I fear th

y Jim?" said Alison. "I wonder at yo

se words that you dread. If you are never cleared of that theft, Alison, Jim will never call his wife a thief. Jim is good to the heart's core, and he is powerful rich, and ef you don't marry him, my gel, you'll soon be starving, for I can't do

f you, Grannie, and Dav

ke Annie too, now t

it would be ri

alf the fam'ly put straight. You will think of it, Ally, you

it," said Alison,

she was feeling very

go out for a b

ll bring a bit of col

annie-anything for Christmas? You said w

mas. There's three pounds in my purse. We'll spend five shillings for Christmas Day. T

hristmas Day comes Friday. Shall I get

stood by her side. She saw the restless

little woman. "I'll trust her with a shillin'. Lor', I hope she'll be

ed it with her left hand, and, taking her little purse from a secret rec

the bargain counter, and use your eyes, and don't buy raisins what have got no fruit in 'em. Sometimes at bargain counters they are all skin, and good for nothink; but ef you are sha

straight up against Louisa Clay. Louisa looked very stylish in a large mauve-colored felt hat, and a fur boa round her neck; her black hai

aid; "I was jest thinking o

any remark. Her intention was to go on as soon as ever Louisa ha

"I have a lot of things to say. Do

ison, flushing

nk you are very free and easy with Mr. Hardy? And when did y

t say good-evening now, Louisa. I am in a

bit o' the way with you. You

hristmas is n

beyond words to hear her speak of Jim. She dreaded more than she could tell Louisa finding out how poor the

she said; "perhaps you w

n by and by and have a chat. I don't know that old Grannie of yours, but folks say

n under her breath angrily; but she r

to know what sort of girl is comi

" replied Alison; "I am

Reed! Anyone can tell by your face that you a

to me," said Alison; "if yo

im did fret a bit the first day or two, but I think he's pretty happy now; he comes to our house constant. He's very fine company is Jim, he sings so well; and did you know he had a turn for acting? We're getting up a little play for Christmas Eve, and Jim's to be the hero

play! A sudden fierce resolve came into her heart. Yes, she would see the acting-she would judge for herself. Christmas Eve, that was Thursday night-Thursday was a good way off from Tuesda

d to Louisa's great surprise-"I will

t's

hing about it. When he sees me he'll

into a loud,

ce to Mr. Hardy. Oh, dear-oh, dear, the conceit of some folks! Do you suppose it would make

n. "Yes, I'll be there.

u had best come to supper. I will put you in a corner where you can't get

'll come in time for the acting. I

vent to a

ou aint up to much shopping; you

y mind; I won't buy the things I meant to to-nig

g her words with a sweeping courtesy whi

me chucklin

affair," she thought. "It won't be any fault of

George Sampson that he was her devoted slave by this time. He came to see her every night, and had assured Jim Hardy long ago that of all people in the world Louisa was the last who had anything to do with the stealing of the five-pound note. Louisa's

false to her?-she forgot all about his face that afternoon; she forgot his earnest words. She o

ught the girl; "yes, Chri

de, engaged in earnest conversation. David blushed when he saw Alison, and suddenly

e home in double-qu

aking off her hat and flinging her

e added the next minute anxiously. "Were you careful in the spending of that shillin'? Why,

Somehow I am out of humor for bargai

she did so, she gave a sigh of relief. She was full of respect for Alison's powers, but not as a bargainer

snap-dragon, and a little bit of beef, and everything hot and tasty, and we'll have the stockings hung up just as usual by the children's beds; bless 'em, we'll manage

inkin' of a wedding,"

r child, a

defiant tone. "Anyhow," continued Alison, "I've mad

le white face

lison. "I know lots about counter work, and I don't doubt t

ing that," said the old lady; "it's i

ble?" said Alison, in a fretful tone. Sh

aid David suddenly. "It's a bit o' stuff I'm fea

d Alison; "

eplied, looking her

ss glance of his gray eyes that c

learned the stitch, and though he do it slow, he do it tru