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The Old Curiosity Shop

By CHARLES DICKENS Condensation by FREDERICK H. DOLE A LITTLE child--the beautifully-drawn character sketch of such a one as the Divine Master so often chose to hold up as a model for His followers--this is our heroine.

Though not yet fourteen years old, she could look back on better days gone by. Then her grandfather was happy and contented and had often talked of her angel mother. She had walked with him in the fields beyond the city's noise, and they had there enjoyed many delightful hours.

Now he has changed. He is anxious, worried, and secretive. He often sends the child on business to the house of the hateful dwarf, Quilp. He is away from home every night, returning just before day, and is filled with gloom whenever he comes back. The child cannot comprehend the reason for this change. She tells this to the sympathetic Mrs. Quilp, while the monster who has loaned her grandfather money listens at the door. He has supposed the old man to be possessed of great wealth and to be in the way of making much more money if only he could be carried over a temporary emergency. But the child's statements to his wife make the dwarf suspicious. He investigates and finds that Nell's grandfather has taken his loans to the gaming-table and has lost. "I am no gambler," cried the old man, fiercely, when accused by Quilp. "I call Heaven to witness that I never played for gain of mine or love of play; that at every piece I staked I whispered that orphan's name and called on Heaven to bless the venture--which it never did."