A Letter of Credit

ok then one of the street cars, which would bring them to the Park entrance. The way was long and the drive

rick frock; it was clean and white; but Rotha had none but her everyday brown straw hat, and she knew that was not "smart"; and her dress, she pondered it as she went along, she was sure it was very old-fashioned indeed. Certainly it was not made like the dresses of other girls of her own age, whom she saw in the car or on the sidewalk. Theirs were ruffled; hers was plain; theirs generally stood out in an imposing manner; while her own clung in slim folds around her slim little person. She concluded that she could not be in any degree what Mrs. Marble called "stylish." The exact meaning of that wor

, what ladies, and what gentlemen, and what little girls now and then! This was the wonderful New York, at which she had now and then had a peep; this was something five hundred miles removed from Jane Street. What sort of human beings were the

should her home be? and her future sphere of life? and where was the promised womanly protection under which he was to place her? He gave a glance at the girl. She was good material to work upon, that was one alleviation of his task; he had had some practical proof of it, and now, more carefully than ever before, he looked for the outward signs and tokens in feature and expression. And as Rotha had once declared that Mr. Digby's eyes were handsome, he now privately returned the compliment to hers. Yes, this child, who had an awkward appearance as to her figure-he did not know then that the effect was due to her dress-she had undoubtedly fine eyes. Poor complexion, he said to himself after a second glance, but good eyes. And not merely in shape and hue; they were full of speculation, full of thought, full of the possibilities of passion and feeling. There was character in them; and so there was in the well formed, well closed mouth. There was refinement too; the lines were not those of an uncultured, low- conditioned nature; they were fine and beautiful. It had never occurred to Mr. Digby befor

on of awakened delight was in her face; such keen curiosity, such simplicity and fulness of enjoyment. Rotha was at a self-conscious age, but she had forgotten herself; two years old is not more free from self-recollection. They walked along slowly, the girl reviewing

uaintance might see him and speak to him. With some trouble he sought out a resting place for Rotha from whence she could have a good view of one angle of a much travelled drive, and at the same time both of them were in a sort hid away from observation. Here they sat down; but if Rotha's feet might

a great many things

e too,

stand a great many

you now, with a s

ike, sitting together; they are on the back seat always, and t

otha; they are fo

the diff

footmen a

ntleman and a man tha

that once befo

I don't ma

do yo

I like to unde

difference is more in the feelings

n the

is not like a gentleman

improperly

ice an

t-clean and n

es

man may have p

cour

be poor and b

may be poor, certainly, with

o begin with-could he

do with the matter. Except only, that without money it is difficult

on?" sai

es

'feeling an

gentleman should give to everybody just that sort of attention and respect which is due; just the right words and the right tone and the fitting ma

poor people can be lad

isconte

thing to do with i

far enough

ted ambition in the to

low the Bible rules of good manners, will

them without bei

love to one's neighbour; and one cannot have that,

l gentlemen

ughed a little a

much concerned

just th

, a continuous stream; carriages of all sorts, landaus, Victorias, clarences, phaetons, barouches, close coaches, dog carts, carryalls, gigs, buggies. Now and then a country affair, with occupants to match; now a plain wagon with a family of children having a good time; now an old gentleman and his wife taking a sober airing; then a couple of ladies half lost in the depths of their cushions, and not having at all a good time, to judge by their looks; and then a young man with nobody bu

else, in his musings, when he was aroused, an

-can I hel

t her. "What do

I asked mother one day, and s

import, he saw that she was in earnest. Grave and intent the girl's fin

hink I unde

something-do not want to be s

id Mr. Digby, waiving this sever

I tell

might help me to get at your difficulty

n want to do something,

he, in growi

e help not b

a? I am wholly in the dark. I d

. However, the subject was one which exercised her, and the opportunity of discussing her di

d slowly. "And I wish I could, to please her; but I do

t touched the decision of any mortal in the great question of everlasting life, awoke his sympathies always to fullest exercise. It was not his way, howev

want to be a C

swered slowly. "I suppo

and tell me what you

-I know I mean, that I

ng the wrong

hat I liked if I was a

e only person in this world, so far

said Rotha, l

he smiling

I tho

hristian was a s

t he is; and a servant is no

aws are over you and binding on you, just the same, whether you accept them or not; and

if I promised to ob

diffe

ised, I mu

you must take the conse

get from un

do whatever you

er mistake," said he. "I

who are

w, Mr.

ould be a Christian, but you could n

I help

stament which always went about with him, and put it into

continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and y

nd looked up at

de her; and sh

d, and were never in bondage to any man:

the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son

e words, after she

aid then again, "c

ond-slave. But see what is written t

o it, then?" sh

ked him, or wish

o it without my asking,

apply to him. And the application must be in good earnest too, Rotha; not the form of the thing, but

d him, could he

thing he came to do; to deliver people from

" said Rotha. "I am

es in the world; two kingdoms; those who do

now much exercised, "I hate

of Satan to God,' is the turn peop

u think I am u

of Christ. And because I see you are doi

" said

sus Christ, or puttin

h coming thick and short. Mr. Digby's conclusions w

my will," she

rself. You have just learned that th

otha, "how is it that y

truth of his words and wrought more with Rotha than the words themselve

that in the new covenant which he would make with them in Christ, h

an-" sa

nd say what yo

u like to do, is just w

ing else, Rotha,

tha slowly, "after all, yo

to be rid of

want to giv

s

ditation, until the girl's lighter humour got away from the troublesome subject altogether. Watching her, Mr. Digby saw the pleased play of

ou, does it

with a long breath. "I

e a carriage and take her out. I don't

r? And bring her here?

day is good. It will ref

e must leave this sc

xcitement and delight; now she

than ever," she remarke

hink they would b

hink they are not

on't lo

ed to it. They com

make it les

now. Most pleasures are less ple

hy

ain. "You never fou

wayville, everything I liked to do,

perament. What did you

y kittens; and riding about; and I liked very much going to the hay f

f tears, and her face flushed with the emotion which almost mastered her. A little kind pressure of the hand he

face and meet inevitably. That in the near future; and beyond-what? No friend but himself in all the world; and how was he to take care of her? The young man felt a little pity for himself by the way. Truly, a girl of this sort, brimfull of mental capacity and emotional sensitiveness, was a troublesome legacy for a young man situated as he was. However, his own trouble got not much regard on the present occasion; for his heart was burdened with the sorrow and the tribulation com

one with her, Rotha having run off to change her dress,-"you d

's name for? But Mr. Digby did not look as if he cared about knowing it; he had asked the qu

ame is

; for he was acquainted with a Mrs. Busby, who was also the wife of a lawyer in the city. But h

Busby's than one. What

nk of it. I can think of nothing but the name of that

Archib

t is

he thought; was it possible? Could that woman be the sister of this? and such a sister? Nothing in her or in her house that he had seen, looked like it. He made neither re