companion on towards the end of the village; the sweet evening air blew upon Rachel's hot cheek, and she felt inclined to give way. At last she said

"Well, I'll go a little way with you, Sarah, for I want to tell you something."

"Oh, that's a dear, good Rachel!" said Sarah, squeezing her arm; "let's go over the hill by the railway bridge, and sit in the wood; it will be so nice and cool there, and you can tell me all about it!"

But Rachel's information would not keep till they reached the wood. She began, as they walked—

"Oh, Sarah! there's been such a set-out up at the Hall this week! You know I haven't got anything to do with the nursery; and the head nurse is a grand lady, she hardly ever comes into the servants' offices downstairs. Well, last Thursday, down she came in such a fluster. She'd lost half-asovereign!"

"What! from her purse?" said Sarah.

"No, it had been sent wrapped up in a little piece of paper with the new gown she bought at Reed's the drapers, and was the change of a sovereign she'd given for it. She says she laid it on the drawers with the dress, and when she went to look for it an hour after, it was gone."

"Who could have taken it?" said Sarah.

"Oh, I don't think anyone took it. I believe nurse doesn't know herself what she's done with the money. But she's so suspicious; I know she thinks it's either one of the housemaids or Jessie that's taken it; but, Sarah, I believe Jessie Ward would rather die than touch even a farthing that was not her own."

"Pooh! nonsense! I don't believe any such thing; besides, people who pretend to be so very good, are no better than we are. Why, Rachel, I've just thought of something! she bought a new dress last week. I was in Reed's shop at the time, and

I saw her pay for it with half-a-sovereign, and it can't have been her wages, because she hasn't been in her place a month yet."

Rachel stood still in surprise and alarm, till she remembered Jessie's words about "Charity thinking no evil," then she said, "Oh, Sarah, that couldn't be nurse's half-sovereign; I won't believe Jessie could take it."

"But, Rachel, how could she have half-sovereigns to spend for dresses before she gets her wages?"

"Oh, I can't tell, I'm sure; but don't talk about it, Sarah. If it gets to nurse's ears, she's sure to believe poor Jessie's the thief. Oh, I'm sorry I told you!"

"Lor! Rachel, I shan't say anything to hurt Jessie; but the half-sovereign ought to be found, or else how are the other servants to get cleared?. It's not worse for Jessie than for them."

"Oh yes it is, Sarah; the housemaids have been at the Hall years, and Jessie only a few weeks."

“But you said nurse suspected them," remarked Sarah.

"Nurse! Oh, she'd suspect anybody! I've heard Mrs. Lowe, who helped to clean the Hall at Christmas, say, that while she was in the nurseries cleaning, nurse would watch her like a cat watches a mouse, for fear she should take anything; and everybody knows Mrs. Lowe is honest. Oh, I wouldn't be in Jessie's shoes for the world!"

"When is my lady coming home?" asked Sarah.

66

Oh, next week, because the heat in London tries Miss Evelyn so; but my lady's going back again.”

"Do you think that nurse will tell Lady Evelyn?"

Perhaps she may; but it won't be much use. I've heard mother say that my lady is one of those who never will think evil of anyone!"

66 'And your mother's just the same, Rachel. Father says it's no wonder she's cheated, and robbed, and imposed upon."

"Who cheats and robs her?"

"Why that lodger, who went away without paying her, Rachel."

"Why, Sarah! he wasn't a thief! he was a real gentleman. He came here to paint the picture of the Hall and other places, and he paid mother every week for a whole year; and he only owed her for a month when he left."

"And that's six months ago, and he hasn't paid her yet. I heard your mother tell father so; he says she'll never get a penny."

"And mother says she's sure he'll pay her," said Rachel; "and even if he shouldn't, she says it's better to lose a little money once, than to think evil of people who don't deserve it!" "Have you told her about the half-sovereign?"

"No, and I wish I hadn't said a word to you, because it's made me so uncomfortable to hear about Jessie's new dress. If nurse is told of it, she'll make sure it is her who stole the money. But see how far we've walked, Sarah! I must be at the Hall before dark, and I'm going home to have supper with mother first."

The two girls turned and walked quickly towards the village, which they reached just as the congregations were leaving church and chapel, so that mingling with them, it would have been easy for Rachel to deceive her mother as Sarah did. But the well-trained girl, though sometimes easily led, could not be so untruthful. She told her mother of her walk, and, at last, of the lost half-sovereign.

"Oh, mother, I'm sorry I told Sarah Mills. I do wish I could stop my foolish tongue; if nurse hears of the new dress it will be all over with Jessie, unless she can prove where she got it and clear herself."

"Well, my dear Rachel, we must hope that no harm will come of it; at all events, I hope this will be a lesson to you not to talk so much without thought as you do."

"But, mother, if Sarah makes mischief about what I've told, whatever will poor Jessie do?"

"Jessie is a good girl, Rachel, and I've no doubt she will be able to clear herself. She knows where to seek help, and God can order everything for the best, even if she is wrongly accused; but either way, I hope you will avoid gossipping in future."

"Oh, mother, I will try to stop my tongue when I want to talk and gossip;" but Rachel's resolve came too late to save poor Jessie!

CHAPTER III.

JESSIE'S HALF-SOVEREIGN.

IN the Tuesday after Rachel's Sunday evening walk, Jessie was busy in the night nursery, sweeping and dusting, forgetful altogether of the lost half-sovereign, or of the suspicion which might fall upon her.

She heard Mary, the housemaid, in the day nursery, telling nurse that she was wanted.

"Mrs. Bond, the needlewoman, wants to speak to you,” she said; "she's brought home the pinafores, and she says my lady told her to show them to you, and perhaps you would pay her, as Mrs. Moreland is away." Mrs. Moreland was the housekeeper at the hall, and a lady of great importance; but she was now in London with Sir Edward and the family.

"Send her up, Mary," said nurse; "I dare say the poor thing wants her money. Here, Jessie, come and take the baby," she added, as the housemaid left the room.

Jessie made no demur; she had taught the beautiful baby already to be pleased with his young nurse. He held out his arms to her, and was very soon enjoying the lively amusement with which she knew so well how to manage him.

Meanwhile nurse went to meet the needlewoman in her own room; after expressing herself pleased with the work, nurse drew out her purse and paid her for it, saying,