"I know, I am sure you are not," was the compassionate answer.

"Then why take me up if I am not a thief?"

"But you will perish with the cold!"

"No--no; it's not so very cold here since the gentleman went away!"
cried the child in a faint voice, muffling the old cloak close around
her, and trying to smile. "Only--only"--

Her voice grew fainter. She had just strength to draw up her knees,
clasp the little thin hands over them, and in attempting to rock
herself upon the cold stone to prove how comfortable she was, fell
forward dizzy and insensible.

"Great Heavens! this is terrible," cried Chester, gathering up the
child in his arms.

Agitated beyond all self-control, he gave the bell-knob a jerk that
made the Mayor start from his seat with a violence that threw one
of his well-trodden slippers half across the hearth-rug.

"Who is coming now?" muttered the great man, thrusting his foot into
the truant slipper with a peevish jerk, for he had taken supper at
the City Hall that evening, and after a temperance movement of that
kind, the luxurious depth of his easy-chair was always inviting.

"Will that bell never have done? These gas-lights--I verily believe
they entice beggars to the door; besides, that great Irish girl has
lighted double the number I ordered," and, with a keen regard to the