She sat up and crept out of her hiding-place, feeling that she was alone in the world. No father, mother, sisters, or brothers, no Roy, no one in the wide, wide world. Not only no one to love her, but no one even to know that she existed. Alone—all alone! The throngs of people had left the park and gone to their homes, to eat, drink, and be merry. Little children were tucked snugly in their beds, and all the great city was at its ease. Janet was alone in the silence of the night. No sound was heard in the darkness. The night was cloudy, and she was cold, hungry, and miserable. Her brain was weak from starvation, and she said in a whisper: “Yes, Bishop, I’ve kept myself clean and pure. Your stockings are here, Bishop. There’s a hole in the toe, a hole in the heel, and holes all between the toe and the heel—but I’ve got them yet.” She put on the old shoes, and seemed to be looking for something. Her braided hair had come loose, and fell like a veil about her. Her eyes were raised to the sky. The clouds parted and a bright star appeared. She cried out with delight: “Oh, there you are! I’ve been looking for you a long time. I was afraid you had forgotten me. You need not blink at me and twinkle so. I see you! I know you! I promised to see you to-night, so I’ve come on this hill to be near you. You know what I want. Don’t go away and leave me! It’s so dark, it frightens me. I’m coming to you! You are the only friend I have. I’m coming! Pretty star, stay! I’m coming! Don’t, oh don’t go away. Don’t leave me alone, little star! For I am down here, and you are so far.” Other children had been put to bed hours before, and told that angels would guard their beds through the night. The little ones thought they came down on ladders, from some place they were taught to call heaven. Janet knew nothing of warm beds, good food, or fine clothes—of heaven, or of angels that came down on ladders. There was a rustling of the dried leaves on the bank, near the water. Janet held her breath in fear, but the sound died away. Then she continued to whisper to the star, “You have talked to me so many nights, blinking at me through the window. I’m coming!” The child of ignorance, poverty, and despair stood on a stone to be nearer the star. The wind had risen, and wrapped the girl’s black hair around her like a mantle. Her arms were stretched out to the star, and her eyes were fixed with unutterable love on the shining orb. And who shall say that there were no angels, waiting for her to ascend on high? Silently the child stood there, with clasped hands and wide, staring eyes, until the star went out, as she thought. Then she looked down into the water, and saw the star there, for the clouds had parted once more, and it seemed nearer to her than it did up above. * * * * *