.

THE BURGOMASTER.
Dagobert's anxiety increased every moment.

Certain that his horse had not entered the shed of its own accord, he attributed the event which had taken place to the spite of the brute-tamer; but he sought in vain for the motive of this wretch's animosity, and he reflected with dismay, that his cause, however just, would depend on the good or bad humor of a judge dragged from his slumbers and who might be ready to condemn upon fallacious appearances.
Fully determined to conceal, as long as possible, from the orphans the fresh misfortunes, which had befallen them, he was proceeding to open the door of their chamber, when he stumbled over Spoil-sport--for the dog had run back to his post, after vainly trying to prevent the Prophet from leading away Jovial.

"Luckily the dog has returned; the poor little things have been well guarded," said the soldier, as he opened the door.
To his great surprise, the room was in utter darkness.
"My children," cried he, "why are you without a light ?" There was no answer.

In terror he groped his way to the bed, and took the hand of one of the sisters; the hand was cold as ice.
"Rose, my children!" cried he.