I have heard of a trooper in one of the famous hussar regiments that charged the Russian guns at Balaklava, who, all through the thickest of the shot and shell bursting around them, was most painfully conscious of a stain in the uniform of the soldier at his side, which he had noticed earlier in the day. And yet that man's presence of mind never failed. him. It seems as if in moments of extreme danger, the mind is so thoroughly aroused that it is able to take in everything in an incredibly short space of time, and the most insignificant things seem to press on the notice. Lucy could hardly have counted the number of things that flashed through her mind in that short moment of time. The waggon was swaying from side to side in an alarming manner. Now came the dreaded corner. How was it possible that the infuriated horses would clear it safely?

With all his might Harry pulled at the rope reins. They snapped in his hand, and in a moment the crash came. Horses, waggon, and all were lying in a confused mass by the side of the road.

Lucy remembered no more after the first

crash. She was thrown out of the waggon by the violence of the shock, and fell with her head against a heap of stones by the wayside.

CHAPTER IV

THE CAGED SINGING-BIRD

“Do noble things, not DREAM them all day long"

HAT a change a few short moments

WHA

lives!

can sometimes work in our whole

Kate was sitting with her work in her hand, under the spreading boughs of her favourite cedar tree in the garden, her thoughts as usual occupied with the deeds of the heroes and heroines of whom she had read. How different her life was to theirs! and how impossible it seemed that she would have in her life an opportunity of showing how heroic she could be.

Her work dropped from her hands as she sat idly dreaming in this manner; all was very still and silent, and her thoughts occupied

her so intently that she did not at first notice the sound of steps in the lane.

From where she sat she could see any one entering the garden gate, without being seen by them.

She looked up now, being attracted by the slow and measured footsteps she heard, so unlike the ordinary brisk walk of busy people. Her uncle and Martin Bourke were the first to enter, both looking sad and sorrowful, and bearing something between them on a wooden shutter. What that something was Kate knew only too soon.

A pale face, with eyes closed, and golden curls hanging down over it, was all that could be seen on the shutter, and that face Kate knew in a moment was Lucy's.

Now was the time for Kate's heroism to be put to the test; now was an opportunity for showing how brave and helpful she could be; but no, all Kate's fine feelings had vanished, she could not command herself, even; how could she be of any use to others?

Without knowing what she did she rushed forward, and clung screaming to her uncle.

Her shrieks brought Mrs Baker out from

the house, and in a moment the good woman saw what had happened.

"I shall never forgive myself, Polly, for having let the dear child go in the waggon with that skittish black horse, and now she has been thrown out, and it will be a mercy if she is not killed!"

They laid the poor child on her bed tenderly and gently. Not a sign of life appeared on that pale face. She was quite insensible. The only sounds that broke the stillness were Kate's passionate sobs and cries.

The doctor had been sent for at once and soon arrived. She was not dead, he said, but there had been a severe concussion of the brain from her fall, and it was impossible to say yet what other injuries she might have sustained. Perfect quietness was absolutely necessary, and Kate's cries must be stopped. Firmly, but kindly, he led the sobbing girl away, and issued strict orders that she was on no account to come near her sister's room again.

"If she was only calm and reasonable, she might be a great help," said her aunt; "but poor Kate thinks too much of herself ever to be of much use to others."