Friends and Helpers

, too, was crying. She was busy with the supper, but her thoughts were with the poor, hungry animals in the bitter cold.

Early the next morning, and for several days the shepherd went out to look for his lost sheep, but he could find no trace of them.

"There is nothing for me to do now but to go to the owner of the sheep," he said, at last. "He is a very hard man. I am afraid he will turn us out of our home."

Suddenly, while he was speaking, there was a noise at the door, and in a moment a familiar voice was heard.

"Bow-wow-wow! Bow-wow-wow!"

"Rover has come back!" shouted Sandy, flinging himself upon the door in his hurry to open it.

"Rover has come back!" cried little Jessie.

"The sheep have come back!" said their mother, looking out into the yard. Yes, there were the sheep,--every one of them safe and sound. And there beside them, wagging his tail with joy and pride, was poor, tired, cold, hungry Rover. He was hoarse from barking and breathless from running, but he was the happiest dog