"The Little Missis"

By Charlotte Skinner

Author of "Doctor Phill," "The Master's Messages to Women," etc.

With Six Illustrations

LONDON
S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO. LTD.
OLD BAILEY

"'SEE HOW CAREFULLY HE IS HELPING HER OUT OF THE CAB.'"

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. HIS PURPOSE
CHAPTER II. THE HOME-COMING
CHAPTER III. A GARDEN LEVÉE
CHAPTER IV. A TESTING TIME
CHAPTER V. WILL GOD ANSWER?
CHAPTER VI. THE DARKNESS DEEPENS
CHAPTER VII. THE LAME SHEPHERD
CHAPTER VIII. A TWOFOLD PARTNERSHIP
CHAPTER IX. A WOMAN'S WHIMS
CHAPTER X. A GATHERED FLOWER
CHAPTER XI. IS GOD GOOD?
CHAPTER XII. THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS
CHAPTER XIII. LOVE'S HOSPITAL
CHAPTER XIV. AN UNFORTUNATE ENCOUNTER
CHAPTER XV. JOY-MISSIONARIES
CHAPTER XVI. THE CALL OF DEBORAH
CHAPTER XVII. THE GOING FORTH OF DEBORAH
CHAPTER XVIII. HER NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR
CHAPTER XIX. THE NEW CLUB-ROOM
CHAPTER XX. A STRANGE KIND OF PREACHING
CHAPTER XXI. PARTNERS!
CHAPTER XXII. LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY
CHAPTER XXIII. LOYAL LOVE
CHAPTER XXIV. RECOGNISED
CHAPTER XXV. BESSIE COMES TO THE RESCUE
CHAPTER XXVI. THE HOME-COMING
CHAPTER XXVII. RALPH STARTS ON ANOTHER JOURNEY
CHAPTER XXVIII. OLIVE LEAVES AND LAUREL LEAVES
CHAPTER XXIX. CROWNED WITH JOY

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

"'See how carefully he is helping her out of the cab.'"

"Phebe was in the shop taking a general look round"

"'Bessie, you are to tell me right out what is troubling you'"

"'Let us put this cold-blooded letter on the fire'"

"She caused the cup with its contents to fall into Phebe's lap"

"He was standing on the pavement, looking a sad, solitary figure"

"THE LITTLE MISSIS"

CHAPTER I

HIS PURPOSE

Creak—creak—creak! went the old mangle—one of the box sort, weighted with stones.

"Are you dreadfully busy, Mrs. Colston?" called out a clear, young voice.

"Bless me, is that you, Miss Phebe?" and the mangle was suddenly silent. "No, I'm not dreadfully busy, and in two minutes I was going to make myself some tea; and if you——"

"Oh, won't I, rather! I should just think I will, you dearie; and I'll get it ready, too, while you