She must once more see the face of that good woman, who had been so faithful and kind to her; and after many efforts to call upon her, finally gained courage and did so.

A strange thrill came over Mrs. Armstrong, as she heard the gate close, and a well-known step on the gravel walk.  Margaret patted her old friend Trot as she approached the house, and somewhat surprised Mrs. Armstrong with her presence when she entered.

“I am glad to see you,” said Mrs. Armstrong, with her usual kind look of welcome, but with a deep tremor in her voice.  “Come and sit by me, Margaret, and let me see if your hard labor is wearing you out.  I have thought for some weeks that you looked pale.”

Margaret trembled in every limb, as she took the seat her friend offered her, for a searching glance accompanied her friend’s words.  Just then a strange thought flashed through Mrs. Armstrong’s mind-a thought she could not put aside, and she tried in every way to win the poor girl’s confidence, and perhaps might have succeeded had there not been heard the sound of footsteps outside.  Trot’s loud bark made them both start and turn their faces to the window.  Margaret gave one glance,—­and she needed not a second to assure her that the caller was none other than the old gentleman she had seen on the street.  In a moment there was a knock at the door.  While Mrs. Armstrong answered the call, Margaret made one bound from the sitting room to the kitchen, and from thence into the open air, and flew as fast as her feet could carry her, towards her boarding house.

As she turned from the principal street, a woman accosted her, and inquired the way to the Belmont House.  Glad of anything that would even for a moment take her thoughts from herself, she offered to show her the way.

The darkness was so great, she had no fear of being recognized, as she walked in silence with the stranger.  One thought filled her whole being, and the problem with her was, how she could escape from N—­, and where should she find shelter?

“Perhaps you can tell me,” said the lady, in a clear, silvery voice, “of some young girl, or two, or three even, whom I can get to return with me to B—.”

“I am here,” she continued, “in search of help; good American help.  I am so worn with foreign servants that I can endure them no longer.”

Margaret’s heart gave one bound.  Here was her opportunity, and she only needed the courage to offer her services.

“Perhaps you would go?” said the stranger, who looked for the first time on Margaret’s face, as they stopped in the light that shone brilliantly in front of the Belmont House.  “Or, maybe you do not work for a living.  Excuse me, if I have made a blunder.”

“I do,” answered Margaret, “and would like to go with you if I can earn good wages.”

“I will see that you are well remunerated, provided you suit me.  I shall go to-morrow, in the noon train.  If I do not succeed in getting any others beside yourself, will you meet me at the station?”