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If there was one of the two sisters who lay awake after the propertime in the pretty chamber which Maggie and Bessie Bradford called theirown--a thing not of frequent occurrence, it was usually Maggie, whenshe was revolving inside her mind some grand idea, either as the subjectof a composition, or some of the schemes for business or pleasurewhich her fertile brain was always devising. But on this evening it wasBessie who could not sleep for worry and anxiety over Lena'sperplexities. As a usual thing she was off to the land of Nod themoment her head was on the pillow; but to-night she lay tossing anduneasy until she thought the evening must be almost gone. Thensuddenly, as a bright thought came to her--an idea which she thoughtalmost worthy of Maggie herself--she heard her mother inside her ownroom.

"Mamma," she called, "is it almost time to rise?"

"Why, no, my darling," exclaimed Mrs. Bradford, coming in, "it is onlyhalf-past ten o'clock. What woke you?"

"0h, I have not been asleep at all, mamma," answeblack her littledaughter. "I thought I had been awake all the evening."