"Do you mean Effie? Oh, I always knew she was a girl in a thousand." "A girl in _ten_ thousand, more like. Do you know, young rascal, that she has been pleading with me for you, and--'pon my word, it's true--melting my old heart till I don't know what I'm doing? In short, I've made her a promise." "A promise! Oh, sir, what?" "A promise that I'll let you off--all but the moral punishment. That, of course, you'll have to bear." "Mr. Gering, is this true?" "Yes, it's true. I'm doing it all on account of your sister. You may come back to the office to-morrow, and consider that you've got a fresh start. Now, for goodness' sake, don't keep me any longer. Open the door, one of you children, can't you? I must hurry back to my work." * * * * * That is the story, for George really did learn his lesson, and in his case the new leaf was turned. He will carry the scars, however, of that time of sin and suffering to his grave. Effie kept her promise, and went as governess to little Freda Harvey for a time, but only for a time. When money affairs were straight again, she gladly returned to the life which she really loved, and is now superintendent of one of the wards at St. Joseph's. It is true that there are whispers afloat with regard to her and Lawson--whispers which always give a feeling of consternation in the ward which she manages so skillfully--but only Effie herself can tell if there is truth in them or not. THE END. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE A Volume of Cheerfulness in Rhyme and Picture KINDERGARTEN LIMERICKS By FLORENCE E. SCOTT Pictures by Arthur O. Scott with a Foreword by Lucy Wheelock The book contains a rhyme for every letter of the alphabet, each illustrated by a full page picture in colors. The verses appeal to the child's sense of humor without being foolish or sensational, and will be welcomed by kindergartners for teaching rhythm in a most entertaining manner. Beautifully printed and bound. In attractive box. Price, Postpaid One Dollar. HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK ----------------------------------------------------------------------- HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE NEW BOOKS FOR GIRLS TUCKER TWINS BOOKS By NELL SPEED Author of the Molly Brown Books. Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price 60c. per volume. At Boarding School with the Tucker Twins There are no jollier girls in boarding school fiction than Dum and Dee Tucker. The room-mate of such a lively pair has an endless variety of surprising experiences--as Page Allison will tell you. Vacation with the Tucker Twins This volume is alive with experiences of these fascinating girls. Girls who enjoyed the Molly Brown Books by the same author will be eager for this volume. The scene of these charming stories is laid in the State of Virginia and has the true Southern flavor. Girls will like them.