She arranged her bed for she was weary with sitting for so many hours upon that stone floor, and then retired, feeling rather lonely and sad, but confident that the Lord, her shepherd, would care for her there as tenderly as in her own room; and ere long she was sleeping soundly. She never knew how long she had been sleeping, for her rest had been unbroken and dreamless, but she was suddenly awakened by a cold clasp upon her hand! In an instant every sense was unlocked, and she was broad awake, with that instinctive consciousness of a horrible presence, which people sometimes have when danger lurks near. The candle still burned, and lighted the place with a reddish glare, for she had not extinguished it, feeling that the darkness would have been too horrible, and by its light she could distinguish a strange-looking object kneeling by her side. With a cry of terror she started up to find herself face to face with a form so misshapen, so frightful, so weird and uncanny, that the sound suddenly died upon her lips, and left her paralyzed with fear. The creature immediately arose and moved away from her a pace or two at seeing her so terrified. “Have I frightened you? I am so sorry, and yet I might have known. But, do not fear, I would be the last person in the world to harm you,” were the words which greeted her ears, in tones so soft and gentle that Brownie involuntarily raised her eyes, and was at once reassured, though still so weak and trembling from her first fright that she could not speak. His head was very large for the rest of his body, and rested forward upon his breast, while his shoulders came up so high that he seemed to have no neck at all; one hand hung limp, withered, and helpless by his side, while one foot and leg were twisted entirely out of place, the heel being where the toe should be. Ah! he was a sad-looking object, but Brownie felt no fear of him now. He had a true, good face, full of intelligence and mental power, and while she looked into it, a great pity came into her eyes, and the tears involuntarily started. He was quick to read her sympathy, for he said, with his sad smile: “Thank you; I see you don’t fear me any longer.” “Oh, no,” she answered, gently; “but I did not think any one could get in here, and I was startled at first.” “I ought to have been more careful, but I did not like to speak loud enough to wake you, lest I should be heard,” and he glanced toward the door. Then he added: “Can you trust me sufficiently to let me take you out of this miserable place? I came to release you.” “Can you? will you?” she exclaimed, eagerly. “Oh, yes, I can trust you fully!” “But how did you get in here?” she asked, the next instant. “I have been here many times, and yet I never entered by that door,” he answered, pointing to the door by which Brownie had come in, and speaking somewhat bitterly.