Meade L. T. - A London Baby: The Story of King Roy стр 8.

be a long time seeing the place where Jesus blessed the babies; but here unlooked-for help was at hand. Faiths dead mother, too, had loved this special story. The place opened at the very page, and, to help Faith still further, the words were heavily marked with a pencil.

Yes, it was all there; all that the ragged girl had told her yesterday. Faith had a vivid imagination, and she saw the whole picture she saw the waiting mothers and the lovely baby children. She saw the angry disciples trying to send them away, and the face of the dear Saviour of the whole world as, taking one after the other of these lambs in His arms, He said, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Faith read the story over and over until she really knew it all by heart. Yes, it was all there, but one difficulty was not over. She had read with her own eyes the story, but she saw nothing in the sacred words to help her special need nothing about where Jesus lived now, nothing of how she, Faith, could go to Him, and ask Him to help her to find her little brother. She had less doubt than ever in her own mind of His perfect willingness to help her of His perfect power to find Roy again. But how could she find Him? In what part of vast London did Jesus live now?

Faith returned the old Bible into its place. She had found out what it could tell her. Who was there who could give her the further knowledge for which she craved? On one point, however, she had quite made up her mind. With the aid of Jesus, or without, she must go herself to find her little brother. This course of action seemed to her right, and clear as daylight. It was all very well to talk of police and detectives searching for the child. Faith did not know anything about such people. Knowing nothing, she believed not at all in their power, but she did believe most fully in the power of her own great love. Surely no one else in all the world could distinguish Roys little face so far away; no one else could detect the clear ring of his voice in the roar and din of London. The little child had run away in fear and loneliness; but Faith, by the strength and power of her love, could bring him back again. She did not think at all about her father. She failed either to see or comprehend his new-born affection or anxiety. Her little heart felt hard against him; he had been cruel to her darling baby boy, and Faith could make no allowance for the torn prize essay. Her father was hard and cruel to every one. Faith did not pity him; nor did she believe in the least in his ability to bring the lost child home. No, this must be her task. She tied on her hat, and put on her out-door jacket, and ran down-stairs, for she had not a moment to lose. At the foot of the stairs she met the neighbour who had come into their room the evening before. She stopped her for a moment.

Please, Mrs Mason, ull you tell father as I ha gone out to look for Roy?

Bless us, child! exclaimed the good-natured woman; but you do look real bad. I think as I wouldnt go out, Honey; the little un will be brought back now they has put it inter the hands of the perleece.

I know best how to find him please ull you tell father? answered Faith in her quiet little voice, and the woman did not trouble to detain her further.

Chapter Eight

known much better how to seek for Roy; as it was, she was puzzled. Not finding him in the one place where it would be utterly impossible for him to be, she did not know where else to look. Oh, if only she could discover the place where Jesus lived now, and ask Him to come and help her in her search! Jesus, however, was far nearer to the little lonely girl than she had any idea of, and He now sent her unlooked-for assistance.

A sharp, high voice sounded in her ear, Well, wot hever ere you up to, and wheres the little un?

It was the ragged girl who had washed her lips to get a kiss from little Roy on Sunday. Faith gave a great sigh of relief at sight of her.

Im so real glad yer come, she said; hour little Roy ha run away hour little Roy is lost!

Lost! said the girl; she went down on her knees close beside Faith, and stared hard into her face. Her own face, even through its dirt, looked blanched, and a frightened expression came into her eyes. Tell us how yer little Roy got lost, she said presently.

The sympathy in the girls face and tone caused some softening of Faiths little heart.

It was on Sunday, she continued; I did think a deal o what you said bout Jesus blessing the little children, and I disobeyed my father and ran away to Sunday-school. While I was away, little Roy ran out into the street: that wor how my little Roy got so lost it wor all my fault; I wish as you hant told me nothing about Jesus.

I didnt mean no harm, answered the girl, I only telled bout what I loved. But did you do nothing since? Why you should ha done heaps and heaps you should ha gone to the perlice, and put the young un inter the Hue and Cry; you should ha done all that last night, Faith.