The Unclassed

the hospital was Christmas Eve. For two hours on the afternoon of Christmas Day, Ida sat in silence by the bedside in the ward, h

and, when the visitors' time was at an end, and she had to rise and go

ards, when there came by a little girl of her own age, walking with some one who looked like a nurse-maid. They w

nted so to see you. Miss Rutherford told us you'd left school, and yo

da. In her premature trouble she se

told her it was Harriet's own fault, and how shockingly she'd behaved

r head, and

"You know we're always going to be friends, aren't w

f the night to recount to her friend, the meaning of which they would together try to puzzle out;

erself to be lost to her friend, and th

gh thoughts or rich imagination. He bore no trace of resemblance to either the chemist or his daughter, yet was their relative. Mr. Smales had had a sister, who at an early age became a public singer, and so far prospered as to gain some little distinction in two or three opera seasons. Whilst thus engaged, she made the acquaintance of an Italian, Casti by name, fell in love with him, and subsequently followed him to Italy. Her courage was rewarded, for there she became the singer's wife. They travelled for two years, during which time a son was born to them. The mother's health failed; she was unable henceforth to travel with her husband, and, after living in Rome for nearly four years, s

burden of the recurring daylight was beyond his strength. There was plainly no lack of kindliness in his disposition, and this never failed to come strongly into his countenance as often as he looked

e unhealthy. Of all the people who came in contact with her, her father alone was blind to her distorted sense of right, her baseless resentments, her malicious pleasures, h

or the boy, the gloomy silence would seldom have been broken. He, however, was full to-night of a favourite subject, and kept up a steady flow of bright narrative. At school he was much engaged just now with the history of Rome, and it was his greatest delight to tell the listeners at home the glorious stories which were his latest acquisitions. All to-day he had b

I, uncle?" he exclaimed at las

t was half in jest, but for all that there was a genu

you shall go with me. We shall see the Forum and the Cap

s a long way from Marylebone to Rome; greater still the

tches of it aloud every now and then. His uncle paid no heed, was sunk in dull reverie.

, with as near an approach to heartiness as he was capable of

r, then began to twist the

ly forward to the fire, "a year more sch

, un

, but yet not in the sam

at you'll find to do in this little shop. The business might be better; yes, might be better. You won't have much practice in dis

was a

l yet, is she?" Smales w

oked poorly

but paused, rubbing his han

, un

hat'll Harriet do? If only she had her health. And I shall have nothing to leave either her or you, Julian,-nothing,-nothing! She'll have to get

, un

I'm dead and gone, Harriet should want help. She won't make many friends, I fear, and she'll have bad health.

uncle!" exclaimed

Julian, this Christmas

ays been kind and good to me, and

mbled with ge

head drearily; "but the promise will be a comfort to me

ame upon

here were no ornaments in any of the rooms, with the exception of a few pictures representing the saddest incidents in the life of Christ. On entering the front door you were oppressed by the chill, damp atmosphere, and by a certain unnatural stillness. The stairs were not

re. Over the mantelpiece hung an engraving of the Crucifixion; on the opposite wall were the Agony in the Garden, and an Entombment; all after old masters. The centre table, a few chairs

and made subordinate to, the consciousness of an inward strength which could convert suffering into triumph. Her garment was black, of the simplest possible design. In looking at Maud, as the child rose from the chair, it was scarcely affection that her eyes expressed, rather a grave compassion. Maud took a seat at the table without speaking; her aunt sat down over against her. In perfect silence they partook of

lips was plainly visible on the air. Maud almost shivered now and then, but forced herself to suppress the impulse. Her aunt pr

speak of things which you cannot understand fully as ye

which made her feel that she was treated unkindly. There was nothing like confidence between them; only in care for her bodily wants did Miss Bygrave fill the place

ever spend Christmas like your friends do in their home

aunt,

given with the simple directne

Christmas Day

y on which Ch

se did Christ come

of these matters was gathered from her regular attendance at church. She replied in a phr

make us fr

ease Him, do you think, to see us showing our joy by ind

with puzzled

like cake and sw

brought a smile to Miss By

h to begin to think of more than a child's foolishness, to ask yourself what is the meaning of the life which has been given you, what duties you must set before yourself as you grow up to be a woman. When once these duties have be

fficiently simple phraseology. Speaking, she did not look at the child; and, when the

e, desire for happiness on earth. He Himself came to set us the example of one to whom the world was nothing, who could put aside every joy, and make His life a life of sorrows. Even that was not enough. When the time had come, and He had finished Hi

ure, and Maud followed the direc

th you draw, since you feel a dread if it is checked. You must live so as to be ready at any moment to give up your life with gladness, as a burden which it has been appointed you to bear for a time. There is temptation in the love you feel for those around you; it makes you cling to life; you are tempted to grieve if you lose them, whereas death is the greatest blessing in the gift of God. And just because it is so, we must not snatch at it before our time; it would be a sin to kill ourselves, sin

h sat in the cold room