From Jest to Earnest

when he appeared at the dinner-table, but he w

youself to be pelted by us. You evidently did not think us wort

eturned o

did not

judgment of people sometimes from what

you for my shar

ank you f

thank me, when I almost p

see a face aglow with exercise. That made

ll make Lottie vain,"

t complimenting was

his good blood and connection with an old family. He is gallant to the

onfusion increased th

er at Scrub Oaks, who has six children, and gets but six hundred a year? Well, they are going to give him a don

r, since you and o

ie. "I want to see the queer, awkward country people who go to

intere

be proper for yo

it be exa

w that ministers only think of peop

at Hemstead's contracting brows. "Moreover, auntie, I want to see what a ministe

far for that purpose

ly: "that is al

imed, dropping he

will be my salary at first.

you for going out amon

s the a

go," she sai

sured I would no

year at least among the 'border ruffians,' as you call them, will

say to that,

tter answer by my a

mouth a very plain answer to the contrary. Mr. Hemst

ld be a very

will have our own way. I think Aunt Ma

tion we shall have to

e

n think of. Uncle, there is your old blue dresscoat; we will take that for the minister. Wouldn't he look comical preaching i

han any of them, and bring over fifty from town this afternoon. I will buy all the bake-sho

s, I imagine," said De Forrest. "My young lady friends have half filled one of my bur

laughed Lottie. "I

re he a minister to the Court of S

Hemstead?" asked Lottie

all n

ke as if you woul

under the c

ked Addie, ra

ifts to a gentleman a

e not," she ans

n the fact that they are compelled to live on six hundred

est to Addie, in a loud whisp

more crafty than true

ing him straig

red once before to-day, we were only 'talking in jest.' You cannot think we would willingly hurt the feelings of your brother clergyman. Surely, if

ive dollars if you wi

a malicious twi

his face she surmised the truth and De Forrest's motive in making the offer, and what had appeared generous was now seen to be the reverse. But she determined tha

n more delicate. But his simplicity and truthfulness came to his aid, and he said firmly, although with a crimson face, "I am

ile Addie gave utterance to an audible titter. Bel

am sure, is all that can be asked of Mr. Hemstead or of any one. But the poor man s

ss Marsden, I

needy minister with

cannot Mr. De Forrest give what he wishes without imposing a c

r offer, Julian. It's delightful to have such a genuine obj

had so recently stated his prospective income at that sum. That the others unders

Lottie's face whether she meant a

The beautiful face of Lottie Marsden haunted him, and the puzzling contradictions of her words and manner kept rising in his mind for solution. After a prolonged revery, he came to the conclusion: "I have left nothing ambiguous about myself. If she is

re the fire, and, as was often her custom, commenced half-talkin

been acquainted with him but a few hours, and I feel that I know him b

Bel. "I think it's too bad, Lottie, that

ly. "It's a good deal more wic

will giv

I haven't

, Lottie, when you

a little more wrong. Why should I give up my fun on that account

herself, and was soon dozing on a lounge. But either a restless spirit of mi

the reins, and the voice of conscience is clear and authoritative, the disturbed mental and moral state will end in the firm choice of duty, and consequent peace and rest. But if, as in the case of Lottie Marsden, impulse rules in the place of principle, and conscience is merely like a half-dreaded, re

d, a grace of motion, and a motive that suggested the lithe panther stealing on its prey. The door was ajar, and a hasty glance revealed that the obje

aware of his presence. "Why do you not take a nap like the

a bad conscience

leeples

Why are you not taking a nap?

ot a Yankee that you must answer my question with ano

his book to you; but I wil

Don't you know that you have said just enough to ma

terest for you. It is one of the lat

fraid to have

the reasons impl

that book? If you had said, 'Certainly, I'll read it to you, but you won't like it, for it's only a dry, h

book, it is exceedingly clever, and well written, and it is quite popular in some ci

e. Forbid a child to do a thing, you know, and you have

a child, Mi

am I,

re capable of realizing o

t! tha

you realize. The woman who could answe

ragon would go out among th

se with me. I was sp

ect to marry yo

ly way we can ever meet our ideal in this life. But sometimes we see

n't see why men will always be so foolish as to think pretty women are good women. But if I

would,-at least I

re not

del books. Yet God's Word stands to-day as strong and serene as that

is indeed 'setting,' and soon the mountain will

we shall find it intact, and just as firm as when the sun is shining upon it. The searching light of every day, from year to year and age to age, will find it there just the same. The long night of moral darkness which culminated in the fifteenth century, though it hid the Bible, did not destroy it. Luther at last found and brought it out into the broad light of general study and criticism. For generations it has been assailed on every side, but it stands in the calm, unchanging strength that yonder mountain would maintain, were

at young gentlemen do not talk t

ell that I am no

had some brains, and was not a doll. If you are so sure about t

fair hearing, I might come to be prejudiced,-to believe you very unworthy,-when the reverse would be true. So the mind

y do you

moral disease, and I do not wish you to run the risk of catching it, though I do not think it would prove fatal if you did. Your own heart and experience would probably correct th

had darkened the wintry landscape; but the ruddy glow of the hickory fire revealed ho

should do if I had?" she queried musingly, as these sombre events,

As surely as you would cling to a strong arm were you sinking in deep waters, just so surely you wil

of truth had gained the ear of Lottie Marsden. The sorrowful and suffering days of the future threw back their shadows upon her, and her heart sank at their prospect; and with the certainty of

it the impulsive girl buried her face in her hands

earnest look through her tears, as if she would

k again, but she abr