"Let me go, Miss Jessie, and don't try to stop me, for it'll be of no use, only to make my heart ache worse than it does now. Don't be afraid about me! If God shows the birds their way through the woods, He won't let me get lost." "Poor Lottie!" said the young mistress, looking kindly on the girl through her tears, "I would rather give up anything than you." Lottie seized her hand, pressing her lips upon it. "Don't, don't!" she pleaded. "You would not say a word if you only--" "Only what, girl?" "Nothing, nothing. I must go, that is the long and the short of it." Lottie shook off her tears as a dog scatters the rain from his coat, and, starting up, assumed her rude manner. "I will not keep you against your will, my poor girl," said Jessie, sadly; "but how can you find the way?" "Easy enough, Miss. I've been studying geography and the maps, these last three months, besides reading about everything." "And have you got any idea of a place?" "Plenty, Miss. I shall be settled the first week. Only give me my wages, and don't try to persuade me again what my mind is made up to." "Well, Lottie, you shall have the money. I am sure that can never repay all you have done for my mother!" "Don't, don't, Miss Jessie! I want to make my heart like a grinding mill-stone, and you won't let me. Now don't!" "Well, I will not distress you," replied Jessie, gently; "but remember, Lottie, when you get tired of this new life, or have spent your money, come back to your old home. No person shall fill your place." "Oh! Miss Jess, Miss Jess! can't you stop?" cried the wild creature, absolutely flinging up her arms in desperation. Jessie looked at her thoughtfully a moment; then, unlocking her parlor safe, counted out the gold Lottie had demanded. "Be careful that the money does not get you into trouble, Lottie," I said, really anxious about the young thing. Lottie took the gold in her apron, and her tears dropped over it as she turned away. She really seemed heart-broken. "If anything should happen," said Jessie, regarding her troubles with tenderness,--"if you should lose it, or fall into want, and still not wish to come back, write to me and I will send you more." "Would you?--would you?" cried Lottie, with quick animation; "then, oh! Miss Jess! make it six hundred now. I never, never shall want money so much again in my life." "Six hundred, Lottie?" "Yes, six! I tried and tried to cipher it out that much; but it wouldn't multiply or add up to the mark; but if you would now--" She paused and looked wistfully at the gold through her tears. Jessie looked at me for encouragement. Dear girl! she had less idea of the value of money than Lottie herself. "She was so kind to _her_!" whispered the mistress, drawing close to me. "Or if you'd just lend it to me," pleaded Lottie. "Now, Miss Hyde, don't go to killing the white dove that I see spreading its wings in her bosom this very minute; I wouldn't turn against you, nor tell anything, you know that."