Divers Women

eedless ones-some malicious ones-some who are led into mischief by their undisciplined tongues-some who have personal grievances. And there are always some people in every community who stand all rea

, so prevalent in human nature, and by reason of the intense delight which that wise and wily helper, Satan, has in a fuss of any sort. Do Mrs. Dr. Matthews the justice of understanding that she didn't in the least comprehend what she was about; that is, not the magnitude of it. She only knew that she had been stung, either by her conscience or else by Dr. Selmser. She chose to think it was Dr. Selmser, and she felt like repaying him for it. He should be made to understand that

by their pastor-a line that shut out the very breath of dishonesty from the true Church of Christ-men and women who were honest and earnest and petty-who were not called on enough, or bowed to enough, or consulted enough, or ten thousand other pettinesses, too small or too mean to be ad

od intentions," and every other virtue under the sun. But, well, the fact was the "young people" did not feel quite satisfied, and they felt that, on the whole, by and by, toward spring, perhaps, or when he had had time

when nothing anywhere seems settled save clouds, dun and dreary, drooping low over a dreary earth; came when the minister was struggling hard with a nervous headache and sleeplessness and anxiety over a sick child; came when every nerve was drawn to its highest tension, and the slightes

t help you. It is not good news nor encouraging news, and it comes at a hard time; and

letter, and the keen, clear gray eye

g, at least, but what you ministers ought to be used to

attie, for us, if he wants us.

cried about it, and said it was a perfect shame, and she didn't know what the officers meant. For her part, she thought they would never have such another pastor as Dr. Selmser. And I may as well tell you, in passing

n in the very next Sabbath; and some of those letter-writers were hurt, and thought he had more Christian principl

; the flush of fever and the unrest of delirium were upon him. He rolled and tossed and muttered; and it was always of his work, of his cares, of his responsibilities-never of rest; and yet rest was coming to him on swift wing. The Lord of the vineyard knoweth when his reapers have need of soft, cool days of glory, to follow weeks of service. Rapidly they come to him; but the river must be crossed first, and first there must be a severing of earth-ties, a breaking of cords stronger than life. Never mind, the Kin

ation of the church to the funeral, with knots of the finest crêpe streaming from their shoulders; and, on the Sabbath following, the quartette choir sang the funeral dirge in such a way as to melt almost the entire audience to tears. And then the

hful repetition of Sabbath conversations. Would that such Sabbath desecrations were rare. They are not. You will remember that out of a congregation of five hundred I have not given you

not greater than his lord." All true; he had preached that doctrine to himself for twenty years, and earnestly strove to live by it. I do not say that he sunk under the humiliation; only, don't you remember the fable of the last straw that broke the c

lf alone; the world, the flesh, and the devil were in full strength before him; and not them only-the angel of the covenant was there beside him. There was a conflict-the world and the devil were vanquished. Dwight Brower's name was on the church-roll, but his heart had been with the world. He came over that day, distinctly,

thousands of souls has the Lord given him as seals to his ministry; and he is working now. Once I visited where he preached. I heard a lady say to him, "That w

t was Dr. Selmser who preached to-day. He has b

dead who die in the Lord: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they

k? How do you know what view of waving harvests being garnered in the Lord calls him to look down upon from th

modern indeed, and at this present time

NE

ged to Margaret's mother, Mrs. Murray. She stood before her moulding board weighing out chopped raisins, currants, flour, butter, and all the other

cate china cups on the soft towel. If her mother could but have seen her, would she so rudely have jarred the bright spirit? And this was Margaret. She, too, could frown; now the straight black brows drew themselves together in an ugly way on the white forehead, the cheeks took a deeper pink, and the bright e

ike you for carelessness," sh

t have happened. I heard how you slammed about after I spoke to

ed in trilling it out to her own satisfaction and delight, when she was startled by her mother's voice. Poor Margaret! She had a hot temper, and when the severe reprimand for her carelessness was added, she felt so angry and

sweet. No table could compare with hers for delicious variety. Her housekeeping was a fine art, before which everything else was made to bow. Her parlour was made most attra

fe; to this end she tortured her husband, and son, and daughters. Summer and winter she diligently pursued them, and many a tempest was evolved in that house from a so

ncipally of nerves. She was a constitutional fretter. It must be said in her justification that she came of a nervous race. There are different kinds of nervous people; this family did not belong to that limp class who start with affright at every noise, or faint at sight of a spider. Their nerves were too tightly drawn, and like a delicate stringed instrument, when a rude touch came, snap! went a string, making all life's m

with an excellent reason for withdrawing herself from society almost entirely. She was not strong enough to entertain company. She was not strong enough even to attend church habitually. Her strength must all be given to her house and her table, for she was one of those housekeepers who consider economy out of place here; the

have some pleasure-"didn't want to mope in his room alone after being hard at work all day. As for home, there was nothing there, not even a good place to read-gas at the top of the wall in the dingy old dining-room, and the girls always out-or out of humour; he could do no better." Mr. Murray was uneasy: "Their home was sort of dismal; what was the matter?" The two daughters, just coming up to

d; their school duties left very little time for anything else, so their household tasks were not always well or cheerfully performed, especially Margaret's. Her love for music amounted to a passion, and she grudged the time for practice; then their inexperience tried her mother's patience sadly, and brought the inevitable scoldings, and made Margaret's irritable nerves flash up to meet her mother's. But that Saturday morning that we began to

ou mean by putting dust in the fire when you see

spilling some of the dust o

u have just got through sweeping; such slow poking works, I could have done it twice over by this time. I don't see why I should be so tormented; other people have girls that amount to something." Mrs. Murray, down in her heart, believed there were no girls in all the kingdo

stuff for common purposes; getting so to

g patience ferreted dust out of every little corner where it had lodged in the furniture; she had mounted the step-ladder and dusted the pictures, had cleaned and polished all the little ornaments. True, she lingered a moment over a bo

ntertainment. Maggie set down a half-beaten dish of eggs and ran. The minute lengthened into many more, and the girls talked and talked, as girls will, forgetting

the minute you are called. That is just as much sense as Nettie Blynn has, running to the neighbours Saturday

come, and I couldn't tell her to go away. Saturday morning is as good as any other tim

train time; she was sure there was no one in the world she wanted to see so much as Mrs. Murray, and Mrs. Murray was just as sure that she herself want

the fire; don't let that cak

the cake, and the cranberries. An odour, not savoury, came from the stove. Margaret rushed out, but it was too late; the cranberries sent up a dense black smoke, and were burned

to come here quick!

has gone to

ould have told her mother so if the bitter words had not made her hard and sullen. The longer her mother talked, the less she felt that she cared for the consequences of her fault. This Saturday's work was unusual, not only because Christmas was near at hand, but an old aunt of Mrs. Murray's was coming from

ce cheerful as usual. The trials of that day had left no mark on her sunny face. Not so with Maggie; the frown was still on her forehead, and she flung h

e! What's t

nt Deborah was in Jericho, or anybody else that is coming to make more work for us. I could stand the w

t provoke mother so much it would be better? And then maybe"-Florence was almost afra

could go off somewhere. I'd go anywhere to get away from home, for it's just dreadful. Mother don't care for me one bit. She don't scold anybody else as she does me. When I go over to Mrs. Blynn's it just makes me sick. Nettie and her mother are just like two sisters. They sit under the drop

parents. I'm sure something dreadful will happen to you. You will drop right down dead, maybe, or just think how you would feel if

ther is a Christian and i

head down on the arm o

cry all day, but

as one of indignation and wounded pride, but conscience told her it was all true, that she was a cross, fretful mother, that she had not made her home a happy one, that she had been selfish and unsympathetic and her children were getting estranged from her. But the last few words touched her most of all. "Her religion did not help her." Sure enough it did not, any more than a pagan's, and she had brought dishonour on Christ. The veil had suddenly fallen from her eyes. She excused herself from tea on plea of a headache, telling each one who came softly to the doo

eldest daughter had spoken were to her like the stab of a knife. Like most nervous persons, her feelings were intense. Such condemnation, remorse, and utter despair as took hold of her: it could not

at the door. "You lie still, mother, and M

visitor as calmly as if she had not s

n "Peace," for that word was written all over her, from the unruffle

to Mrs. Murray, when they were seated alone the n

t to be a failure," sa

e, I have only just

irritable, and was ashamed of it. Then I would resolve that I would not do so any more, but my resolves are like ropes of sand. I get started and can't stop. I think if human beings were like sewing-machines, and when they get out

woman's privilege, and let me speak my mind freely. I think I know the secret of the trouble. Your nerves are sick-people used to think that meant hysterics, but they know better now. You are overworking these sick nerves. The first thing to be done is for you to get relief from everything that tries you, as far as you can. Treat yourself like an invalid, as you are. Then change your way of life entirely: go out a good deal in the air, read, and talk, and sing, and play on the piano-you used to be a good player, I remember. Let the housework and the sewing be done by somebody else, except what you can do witho

y, "I am surprised. I thought you u

hard knot, being 'a keeper at home,' and making things generally uncomfortable for everybody. Now I think a Christian is one who loves and obeys his Lord. I know I love Him and I am trying

ing for us. You must lay aside the 'weight,' and the temptations to the 'sin that doth so easily beset us,' then He will do his part. It isn't his way to do for us what we can do. Now if you load yourself down with b

free from all provocations to anger while I live in this world. What is there in all this that will help me to control my

ill we have made this discovery, 'I cannot do it.' When your watch is out of order you do not expect it to right itself; you take it t

"but oh, have I faith enough for such a great work?

y. Don't you know

uls, come n

ome not dou

th that trust

tenderness

her. When the sun of that Sabbath set, the dove of peace sang in the tired woman's h

ay morning as other days; perhaps he thinks we get the start of him on the Sabbath. Forewarned is forearmed

an entire revolution in this household." And she l

kitchen and come when you are ca

tmas was to be no common one. Aunt Deborah engaged in the business of tying and festooning evergreens with all the gusto of a girl; the two made the parlour into a bower of beauty. When the short winter day drew to its close, the whole was pronounced complete, and Mrs. Murray went to her room to dress. She was strongly tempted to put on the same old gray dress she had worn all winter, and brush her

he surveyed her, "it do

ughters, all came i

d getting a peep into the back parlour, "is this our house?

a canary in a gilded cage, a bright fire in the grate lighting it up cheerily; Aunt Deborah smiling and knitting on one side

pretty woman? Where's her equal

th books and work, and talk and music. Father, too, suddenly discovered that there was a lull in business, and that cheerful chimney-corners were more attractive than ledgers. Ralph and the girls brought their young friends there. What was strangest of all, the nervous headaches almost entirely disappeare

bject of adoration. Not the last drop in her cup of joy were the many litt

r. She tried to sleep, but her visitor persisted. Margaret was face to

n angel, or something," but "Flo" was fast asleep; then she tossed and t

, and hiding her face in her mother's neck, "I have

ther's heart was so full, her joy so great, that she lay thin

had been literally

SPENT C

do not object to my going, a walk is just what I'm longing for;" and Edna Winters drew on her gloves and stepped from t

, house, and leafless trees. The wind howled fiercely through the group of pine-trees in the yard, that seemed but deep shadows on the general grayness

brewing, if I'm not mistaken. T

anxiously inspected the s

once, and I remember just how tired I used to get cooped up in the house so much; besides, she wanted to g

tism was keeping him a prisoner just now, s

asure, stopping a moment in the edge of the pine woods to gather a few squaw-berries and a bit of moss; then, casting a glance at the threatening sky, hurried on her way. Before she reached the town the snow

picture. The face, of that pure, clear tint that belongs only to a certain type of brown eyes and hair, the hair gathered into a coil at the back of the head, except one or two loose curls that strayed down from it, the eyes sweet and serious. Mr. Monteith dealt many hours of the day with dollars and cents, notes and bills; still, he knew poetry when he saw it, and that golden-brown curl was to him a bit of a poem. Then her dress was peculiar; his fastidious taste pronounced it perfect for the occasion: walking-dress of soft, dark brown, glinted by a lighter shade of the same colour; a jaunty br

orner as she did, not caring where he went, only so that he kept her in view. To his astonishment he soon found himself in the open country. It was not a day that he would have chosen for a pleasure-walk in the country: the snow edd

howled through the pine woods, blowing the snow into drifts in the road. Mr. Monteith had a new motive for his journey now. He must protect this young girl

s probable that nobody would find her. In dismay she turned and looked behind her, but no sooner did she see a man rapidly coming towards her than a mortal fear took possession of her, and she started forward with new impetus; on a

e road. She would have plunged in, but Mr. Monteith was at her side and said plea

nly tones, and the grey eyes that looked into hers w

e myself," and Mr. Monteith drew

The name of Monteith had long been a familiar one to her; she remember

ers," said Edna simpl

a little more than ha

icade, if possible," and Mr. Monteith dashed bravely into it; but as well as he could see through the blinding storm, t

up in that style without her leave, as if she were a bale of cotton; provoked, too, at herself for getting into such a predicament. If she only had stayed at home as mother advised. Mother had always told her she had feared something would happen to her going through those woods by herself, and here it had come. Then the funny side presented itself. She wanted to laugh but was afraid to. She stole a glance at the face below her-a finely-cut face it was, but there was no smile in the grave eyes; instead, an intense, earnest purpose. When they came again to the ground where the snow lay on a level, Ed

nd began to feel some dawnings o

"I'm sure something has happened to her. If I could only go out and see, but I should make poor headway, hobbling about in the dr

hair close by the window and looked down the road far more than she sewed. Their anxiety reached its height when they saw a stranger toiling

th, as sure as I live

th, "I found a stray lamb of yours

ery anxious. I did not see what was to become of her if she was on her way in

winced a li

us to-night, of cour

must get back before dark. Wil

utes huge banks piled themselves against windows and doors, and the win

u to think of going home tonight, and I must insist that you stay. I a

ding eyes and, "Do stay; I know

e pleasure of a new experience. The stereotyped fashionable house he knew all about, but this old house that looked small, and yet stretched itself out into many cosy rooms; it was quaint, it was unique, and so was the little household. It was like stepping int

oo, though unpretending, were persons of refinement and intelligence. He was puzzled to understand how a young girl, reared in so much seclusion, should possess such grace and culture as did Edna. After tea, when she played and sang, his mystification increased, for the bird-like voice and delicate touch were superior to much that he heard among his city

a bit of poetry or a witty story, as the case required. Edna brought her crotcheting and made herself into a picture i

of snow against the windows, "that, in all probability, you will be obliged to spend

be most devoutly th

e shall thank kind Providence for sen

elighted eyes surveyed, it and with Bunyan's Pilgrim he felt that he had reached "already the next door to heaven." It surely must be the "chamber of peace," because "the window opened towards the sunrising," and in the morning a glorious panorama spread itself before him. Fences and all unsightly objects had disappeared. J

erusalem c

ith shini

n common to talk over that there seemed to be no end. So occupied was Mr. Monteith with the father that he s

. Winters was again expressing his gratitude. "So strange," he remarked, "that you

is cheeks, and at once asked Mr. Winters "what effect he supposed the resumption of specie payment would have upon the sta

o Edna's voice in some old hymns. Mr. Winters called for his favourites, "St. Martins," "Golden Hill," "Exhortation," and listened with

nteith take his departure, much to his own regret as well as

ty. Behold, there lay a lovely bouquet of roses, carnations, and violets. He lifted it with care, and a card marked "Hugh Monteith" fell from it. "That is odd," he sa

e breath bene

on's de

er's garden, tied up the sweet peas and trained the morning-glories once again. How each flower, like a dear human face, stood before him looking into his eyes. The damask roses, the Johnny-jump-ups, larkspur, bachelor-buttons, ragged ladies, marigolds, hollyho

. He always pretended to appropriate them to himself, much to Edna's glee, as he did the not infreq

ith me. He's one among a thousand; the most of them hav

ittingly steal away his darling's heart and then flit away to some other flower, and leave this, his own treasure, with all the soul gone out of her life. He believed Mr. Mo

in the hurried glance she noted the pink and white complexion, the blue eyes peeping through golden frizzes, set off by a dark-blue velvet hat with a long white plume. Mr. Monteith raised his hat and bowed low to Edna in pleased surprise. Edna went on with a little pang at her hea

they match perfectly." Then with a pretty pout

en while he spoke he said to himself, "E

urging; she was soon s

the envy of many

simply because she had seen that bewitching-looking girl riding with Mr. Monteith. And what of that? Was she foolish enough to believe that he cared for her, a simple country girl, just because he had given her a few flowers and called there. He probably considered these common attentions that he offered to many others. Her cheeks burned at the remembrance of the delight she had

ey keep right on, and on, and on. Nothing happens to them. There is no change in their lives. Why should there be in mine? They clean house spring and fall, can fruit, go to town, have the sewing society, and so on"-and Edna shuddered a little at the picture she had sketched of her own future. These two were neighbours, whose peaceful dwellings nestled among the hills

our help i

th in year

from the st

eterna

y blast" had swept over her. She would fly to her Refuge, and then the "eternal home." What if this li

denly stopped and two gray horses and a handsome sleigh stood in front of the gate. "Mr. Mont

t her mother's for reply. It was not every gentleman, be he ever so great and rich, that this

he would be sure to bri

little while; met Miss Paulina, who stared at Edna and said to a young lady by her side: "Whoever can that be with Mr. Monteith?" Then their route stretched many miles out into the quiet country. The journey was long, but not tedious. It was beguil

be mistress of the stately Monteith mansion, might possess those gray ponies for her very own, and glitter in the silks and jewels and laces that his money would buy. She had no heart herself, because in her very shallow nature there was not room for one. Paulina had failed thus f

me again, and picnics and excursions were

are to go in carriages. I dare say you'll be invited, too. Isn't it a charming novelty? I presume it is to an old uncle and aunt of his, you know," and the butterf

e into stiff bouquets, but here and there was a handful of roses or sweet-scented violets. The old fireplace lost itself in callas, ferns, and ivies, while the mantel blo

the guests. "I verily believe we

he niche under the lilies, and the minister spoke the m

r, looped here and there with a cluster of lilies of the valley. A wreath of the same flowers fastened her

Mr. and Mrs. Monteith passed down the walk u

hey went their way, and the bridegroom whispered: "Do you r

I

do, but they broke all rules in their code of good manners by a succession of twistings of the neck. It was not easy to settle down content after one short look at the beautiful being who glided by the minister's side. Had he seated a veritable fairy in that pew the sensation could scarcely have been greater. Her beauty was

t one of his ambitions to be conspicuous; he was accustomed to slip quietly into his place from the chapel door, and his apparently triumphal march into his church on the first Sabbath of his retur

her regal beauty as they passed out, shook their heads, and repeated to each other the familiar saying, that wise men often make fools of themselves when they come to the business of selecting a wife. One lady said she w

ful in the church, but then, that was the way, a minister was just like any other man, money and a pretty face would cover up a good many failings

retty fast? How do you know but she is sensibl

don't need to hear her spe

d Mrs. Meggs, "with her hair frizzed

ow Miss Pry. "There never was such a com

rs to do it for them, and looked and sighed their holy horror that their minister should have shown so little discretion in

the arms of her faith to the mercy seat and plead a blessing for her-with courage enough to try

elic strains the sweet hymns he loved, he took it for granted that the words of fervent devotion but gave voice to the feelings of her own heart. So fair a bit of clay, he reasoned, must contain a soul of corresponding beauty, and he forthwith invested her with all the charms of an angel. A slight misgiving, it is true, sometimes crossed his mind as to whether she

s of this world, and live a life of self-denying toil. Not a thought of that kind had ever entered her pretty head. A minister in her estimation was an orator, the idol of a wealthy people, and

neglected, and now with her education completed, the fond mother looked about her, seeking a brilliant alliance for this rare daughter, when lo! she found the matter settled. Vida's own swe

prospect, though, was not wholly dark, he was "handsome and talented," and that went far toward consolation; then, too, he would probably be called in time to a large, important church, and have D.D. at the end

iged to toil hard and practice the utmost economy in order to have any left to pay their subscription with. Some of these looked with no kindly eyes on the magnificent changes of toilet t

years running, for her best dress! I declared, it made me feel as if there wa'n't any sort of use scrimping and saving as we do, to pay fifteen dollars a year to support the minister; I told John we better not pay but five next year, an

r head toward me, and looked at me from head to foot, exactly as if she was saying to herself 'Dress, twenty-five cents a yard; shawl five dollars, hat, two dollars;' then she gave me what she'd call a bow may be, she swept her eyelashes down, and tilted her head

a wife for, anyhow; I don't believe he more than half approves of her himself, now he sees how she goes on, but, poor man,

them. Because she had married a minister was no sign that she was to be subject to the whims of a whole parish; she could consider herself bound

put your foot down in the beginning, and don't wear yourself out. Enjoy yourself all yo

eans; she should just quietly carry out her plans, and he would learn

drop-light cosily established in a large easy-chair, absorbed in the last number of Scribner. She was robed in a white flannel wrapper, and

: but do you know that is the

ening to myself once more, when that indefatigable people of yours are

, and sitting near, singing as none but she could sing. A spice of vanity mingled with it too. How the people would listen and admire! He felt annoyed and was ab

tment, however. Her voice joined not in the hymns of

one trying to sing, though not knowing one note from another. One old man by me sang five notes below the key; a woman on the other side screamed out as many

and repeated half aloud, "The

pleasant plans he had formed of companionship in his work. He attended m

er of the flock she gaily remarked, that she did not purpose turning city missionary. "When ladies called upon her, she would return their calls,

ed the pastor's wife to their circle. They organised a

centre about which it revolved. Was there a difficult part to be rendered, or a queen of beauty to be repre

g into private theatricals, he withdrew, and urged his wife to do the same, but no amount of persuasion could move her in the least; her own will had been her law too long. And this was the being he had thought to mould! It was all so differe

what, and lift them from the commonplace. I cannot but think you are degenerating. The first discourse I heard you preach was filled with poetical fancies and literary allusions, and the language was flowery and beautiful. Your preaching seems to have changed of late; last

raised to a high pitch, or she w

to say one word, but went with a slow, heavy step, like one who had received a mortal hurt, to his study. The irritation he might otherw

s, spoken in an unknown tongue to scores of his hearers. Now he turned the key on his elegant essays, and, asking the Lord for a message, he was tryi

hrow himself into it with nothing to come between him and "This one thing I do." But daily trials on account of one who should have been his greatest helper, saddened him, so that much of his la

assment, and was in a chronic state of apology for her. And yet Mrs. Eldred could make herself the most fascinating of beings. There were evenings when she chose to shine at home. Then she would with artistic skill brighten the roo

r husband's study, resplendent in

uite time you t

?" he said with a

e forgotten that we have an invit

ce from the wording that it was to be a dancing party. I think there must be some mistake about it, as I never was i

ance, of course. We shall be obliged to go, for I have accepted the in

for me, without consulting me, but I ca

l be immensely unpopular if you pursue that course. Don't you think," she continued, encouraged by his silence, "that it savours a little of bigotry and egotism to set one's s

rbed in all these amusements, and one who is, has no room in his heart for Christ. There is a law of Natural Philosophy, you know, which says that 'Two bodies cannot occupy the same place at the s

ll my life, and since I became a church-member, and never had it hinted to me before that I was not a Christ

yourself intend to dance; the most liberal would be

an woman. You told me yourself that Mrs. Graham is an excellent lady; she is a member of your church,

t? The world counts us one, your action is mine, and just or unjust, they do not accord to you the right to wade quite so far into the sea of worldly pleasures as they themselves feel privileged to do. They would point the finger of ridicule at both of us, and charge us with inconsis

r vows, nor listening to reason. She threw off his arm wi

on to this party, but promised to dan

itation by a mighty effort,

disgracing us both. I insis

stately air, she swept by him and ascended the stairs to her room. What was his consternation, as he stood g

he long night brooding over his great sorrow, the root of which was the fear that his dear wife did not belong to Christ, for beloved her through all her unloveliness. "Husbands, love y

s and reproaches. When she was angry, she was unapproachably so, as frig

an is but little less endurable than a perfectly silent one. You may almost as well "flee to the house-top"

ciliation. He was summoned to tea, but no wife appeared. After a little he went in search of her. She was not in the house. It was growing dark. He was perplexed and anxious. Again he went to their room, hoping to find some explanation of the strange abs

reover, that it was evident that their tastes were not congenial; it was out of the question for her to be tied down to the sort of life he expected of her; that she had borne re

ted; they did not add to each other's happiness, as appeared from the gloom enveloping him day and night; the last months were months of discord; she felt neglected; he was poring over books or seeking o

d that would reveal down deep in her heart the light of her great love for him, even such love as he had for her-a faint glimmer through the clouds of anger and recrimination. It was not there, not one syllable to s

ut the pretty, festive robes were all gone; the dainty garments were not in their places. A little pair of half-worn slippers, and the blue

the darkness and comforted him, even "as one whom his mother comforteth," and when the morning dawned he arose and took up the burden of life again, where he was, ere Vida Irving stole into his heart. No, not

scathed the

ad eyes and pale cheeks. Not the least of this great trial was to meet and answer

unexpectedly go

get far away from any who could have had the least knowledge of him previously. No fugitive from justice ever felt more nervous haste. He pushed on, never pausing till he reached the very verge of civilisation in the far south-west. Not that he would

ing path had been marked out straight

urch of the wilderness, its arches and pillars outside-the tall old trees locking arms overhead. Nature softened the fierce rays in this temple as well, for they filtered through thick green boughs

or dancing parties, theatre or opera to steal the soul from Christ after the manner of more cultured Christians. The church was th

s faithfully made as when they were comprehended within the limits of a few squares. The mild winter climate of that region was like one long autumn of the Eastern States. Mounted on his faithful pony, he spent a large part of every day riding over the prairies. The blue skies and the bright sunshine were tonics to the heart as well as to the body. Sometimes his route lay for miles through the woo

new, as she phrased it, without embarrassment. In a large hotel in the great city, with seaside and mountain trips, parties and

itted a wife to receive were tolerated. She knew the law did not count her free; and if she had analyzed her secret heart, there was no true reason why she cared to be free. No face she met had power to quicken her pulses or extract from her a second thought. The inner heart had long ago been pre-em

ould not shut her eyes to the fact that her mother was in a most critical state. She was a devoted daughter, though the weeds of selfishness, fostered by the mother's hand, at

ring, she said: "O Vida dear, I woul

and a faithful attendant on its services, and you have been kind to the poor and

beg you," moaned the poor mother. "I've been nothing but a miserable worldling. Now I'm almo

for Dr. Hines

m. He's a stranger; an

, O

r dying mother. In the midst of her sad thoughts as she sat watching, while gentle slumber had stolen for a moment over the mothe

wer it," she thought. So finding a Bible, she sat d

dear?" said her moth

other, I've fo

er repeated it over feebly. "Believe on the

ered the wonderful words she had read; preached to her for years, apprehended by her only just now. Her heart was filled with horror and fear at her treatment of such a Saviour; at her daring to number herself among his people; then tha

rayer that her dear mother might "see Jesus," that mother put

rd Jesus Christ; He has forgiven me

came to her dying mother sweet as the voice

o the storm that burst over her head, and filled with joy and peace that had not been hers in the brightest hour of worldly pleasure. It was not so har

hat she had stifled and called dead was there, deeper and purer. Now that she had been brought by

er heart, that large, pure soul that she had thrust from her in her wicked folly and blindness. Now she would devote her life to searching for him, if indeed he were still living, and the doubt brought a keen pang; or had he, too, thrust her out and barred the door, so that she might never more enter? Or-worse

She frequently visited towns where a popular preacher or lecturer was announced, and made one of the vast throng that passed about him; then, taking a favourable position, rapidly scanned the upturned faces, wondering, meanwhile, what that strange,

wide and promising field for labour; that some time he should like to go there and build up a church. He might have gone there now. So, with this forlorn hope, she started westward; spending the summer journeying,

o their entreaties she remained through the autumn. It was now drawing near to Christmas, and still she linger

om here, where we can get some evergreens; I want to trim up the house for Christmas just as we used to in New York State. I'll tak

s not used to riding in spring waggons over rough

he had not heard the objections, "and moss, and long vines tha

inducements you offer." She was only too glad to f

summer, and over all the perpetual sunshine of that region. A soft golden light that even in mid-winter glorifie

e gay-plumed birds flitted about with hospitable little chirps, welcoming their visitors to their bowers of green. As each became more intent in adding to their store they became separated. Vida was a little distance behind a low, thick growth of trees, d

holding firmly to a tree-trunk, she gazed into the dear face. It was paler and thinner, there were dark rin

never realised her utter folly so keenly as at this moment. How she longed to fly to him and fall at his feet in sorrowful confession. Two things kept her b

adept in hiding her heart far out of sight. When Harry returned she c

arry him home too, for Christmas. Wouldn't mother be glad to see him, though! He preaches every Sunday in a log church right down hereaways, and the people come from all round t

red spot in each cheek. He wondered more before they reached home, for his cousin laughed and sung in childlike glee, and w

n of all work, should accompany her to Cedar Vale the next afternoon. Just what she

y drew near the settlement. They came at last upon the church, standing in a lovely grove of maples. The door stood slightly ajar. At a little distance from it Vida dismounted, and dir

eling by the little pulpit, his head

beside him. Stranger eyes may not look upon a scene so sacred; but the two soul

looking into one another's eyes, and telling each to each the experiences of that lifetime they had lived

rds poured out thanksgivings, craving a blessing on their reunited lives, and, by a mutual a

g that this ride over crackling twigs and rustling leaves, with the soft, light of the dying day closing about them, should go on for ever. The earnest admiring gaze of the husband brought girlish blushes to the face of the bride

and a romance-a poem-lived out-not written. There were no costly gifts, and yet, gifts the most precious-two souls given

Eldred asked, a few days after Christmas. "My wo

t," Vida said, half shyly, "but my money is not mine any more. I gave it all to the dear Lord, I would like to build a pretty church with some of it, and

hurch is so much needed. How strange that you should be willing to stay, and that we can work together! Oh, Vida! I prayed-with faith, I thought-but I never

ver gladdened their rustic eyes before. The singing that day was mostly solo, or at least, duets. Her pure, birdlike voice filled th

out the wild flowers, the log church was preserved as a memorial, while the spire of the hands

rk that they had no time to sigh for the privileges of more cultivated surroundings. The pastor's wife was th

WAS CONVERTE

" all the same. When Christ was a babe on earth there was no room for him in the inn, so to-day many a heart is so full that Christ and his cause are turned out. If a heart is full how can it hold more? Do not suppose that there was no thinking done by Mrs. Williams. She superintended all her work and did much of her own sewing; as her family was not small and her income not large, and she kept but one servant, it took a vast deal of thinking and worrying to keep the Williams family up to the standard, which was one not of nea

whole afternoon each month hearing dry reports and "papers" about countries with outlandish names. What good did that do anyway? It was mysterious-how ladies could do justice to their families and spend so much time out. As for herself she could scarcely keep up with her calls. But then! they neglected their families, of course they did; women that were always on a committee for something or other, and running off here and there to all kinds of meetings. Very likely, too, it just suited some women to get up on a platform before

making such a fuss about it, it all came out of their husband's pockets anyway. Her husband always had contributed to Foreign Missions,

sense as some persons have; think that one can drop everything and go to a missionary meeting-in the spring of the year, too, when there is so much sewing to be done;" and she hastily instructed Bridget to tell Mrs. Brown that she was "engaged." So Mrs. Brown went on her way to the meeting, and sat in heavenly places,

was appalling to think of the amount of ruffling and tucking and side-pleating and puffing that must be gone through, before the summer wardrobes of herself and her little daughters would be completed. There was the house-cleaning, the smallest detail of which required her personal supervision, for Mrs. Williams was elaborate throughout; all her housekeeping was squared up to

she had hoped to take a little rest and comfort, and now she must be annoyed. To go, was out of the question. It was too hot; and besides, she did not in the least feel like going to a meeting of any sort. She wanted to finish her book; so she told Mrs. Brown that she was very much worn out with over-exertion, and the day was so warm that she would not venture out. She should probably fall asleep in the meeting if she went. It seemed that even when there came a time that work did not fill Mrs. Williams' heart, S

. The expensive imported ware was out of the question-beyond the limits of her purse at present. Mrs. Williams was a woman of resources, who seldom failed to rise to the necessity of the occasion; and from her inner consciousness she evolved a perfectly delightful plan. When a young girl at school, she had taken lessons in oil colours, and

pening day." Her vases should be precisely like that elegant pair of Copenhagen ware that cost fifty dollars. Then this ambitious, energetic, deluded woman went home, and proceeded to shut herself in her room, and dabbled in paint from morning till night. Her enthusiasm ar

l feminine conclusion that "positively" she had "nothing to wear," when she was interrupted by a call from the collectors of the missionary society-the faithful, punctual collectors, whose visits were as sure as the sun and the dews. Mrs. Williams had decided that self-defence required her to become a m

opied and followed were even benevolent to the amount of two or three dollars a month, then Mrs. Williams would have compassed sea and land to procure the money, before she would have allowed her name to be among theirs with, that small amount set after it. She suggested that she pay the whole sum at once. "What was the use of troubling them to call every month;" and when they said they prefe

ontributed to "foreign missions." She spent the morning in weighing the merits of this piece of silk and that, and finally purchased a dress, rich and costly, and some soft filmy laces of marvello

ing, parties, pottery, and fancy work, time for it all. How could one think much a

heavy burdens, and take comfort in the thought that one of the women whom Jesus loved was in the same co

er house, that formed the subject of her meditations. Perhaps the days are not past when the Lord speaks to a soul "in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men." Mrs. Williams was not a nervous woman, fu

sh of surprise, the anguish, the feeling that she was not ready, the swift searching of her heart to find her hope, the feeble des

for that kingly One could be no other than Christ the Lord, the one she loved years ago before the world got hold of her. Surely he would recognise her; but when she timidly ventured nearer, and spoke his name, there was no smile of welcome, no "Come, ye blessed;" the look was cold, the face a

d graceful forms, finest statuary, innumerable and endless articles of ornamentation, and, lying about in rich profusion, were costly silks and glittering satins and rare laces; jewellery flashed out here and there; diamonds and pearls and all precious gems i

ones gathered about their King; their hallelujahs rising in grand chorus to "Him who loved them and washed them in hi

gs bowing before idols, little children cast into cruel flames, and women, sad, wretched women, a w

angel, 'Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of

before her, as in letters of fire, that other

it brought her in brokenness of spirit to the feet of her Saviour; and he who said, "A new

henceforth to be obedient to the Master's slightest wish. The whole aim of her life was changed, her pursuits, her style of living. She found, too, amp

is anointing whenever we shall give our whole hearts to him. Then shall it be "joy, nor duty," then we sha

LEWIS

RT

BO

ious understanding that the meeting was for all who felt interested in discussing plans for their own mental improvement d

sitting perfectly mum by the side of my next neighbour, because I don't know what under the sun to say. After we have done up the weather and house cleaning and pickling and canning, and said what a sight of work it is, and asked w

will require considerable study in posting ourselves." This lady was newly married, and "

by, or a house full of company; then the most of us can only give little snatches of time to this, besides the afternoon

till glowed with almost the brightness of youth. Her naturally fine mind, enriched by extensive reading, and her deep religious experience, combined to constitute her almost an oracle in the little town. In all their

ears ago. I am sure I can repeat quantities of it," and she tossed back her pretty head and looked wise. "The Bible is all well enough for t

a spice of sarcasm in it as she quoted for answer, "The

week in the study of Political Economy, with very much benefit; they felt that their minds had been enlarged and strengthened; her pr

Thy Word is a great deep,' and Peter said that Paul

hinking about Moses ever since Mr. Parker preached about his not being allowed to go into the promised land. It seems as if I was acquainted with him. It must have been a powerful disappointment to him, after he had trudged along so many years-turned back, too, when he'd got a good piece on hi

eley. "Where does one find such knowledge of human nature as

yea, than much fine gold;' and another says, 'It is a discerner of the thoughts and inte

onally a book of poems; Longfellow and Whittier, or, if we want to study harder, there is Mrs. Browning, Tennyson, and Shakespeare. It would be excellent discipline to try and get at the exact meaning of the authors, a

h the Bible seem to me just like grass and flowers? Now, if we have but a little time to give to study, why not spend a good part of it in studying the 'endureth-for-ever' book, because, as nearly as I can

on the lips for a few minutes, but prac

lways thought, if we gave more attention to ventilation, and to wh

ce. Then I was noticing in the paper that there is a Presbyterian

ate pie and cake makers, whose life consisted in the abundance of pastry; who was a

s a week in reading or study at home, then bring what we gather to the sewing-society and talk i

ll make 'em open their eyes, too, I guess, so I read it all over again, to be sure and have it at my tongue's end. Well, I went to sewing society, and when there was a kind of a lull in talk, I began to tell three or four that sat around me, all about that wonderful story that I'd been reading. Do you believe it, they just poked fun at my story, and said, 'of course 'twa'n't true, and we couldn't believe half we read in the papers, and it would tura out like the Cardiff giant, most likely.' I was going on t

alk went on. Some thought a course of history was "just the thing," in short, there were as many different

hey cannot tell just where every line of poetry that happens to be quoted can be found, but who thinks of being ashamed because they cannot tell the author of the matchless poems in the Old Testament? I do think there are no poems like Isaiah's and Jeremiah's and the Psalms. For imagery and pathos and sweetness all other poems are tame in comparison. Do we want works of power? He says, 'My word is as the fire and the hammer.' Is it t

Solomon I have found it all vanity. 'Oh, how I love thy law!' 'How sweet are thy words unto my taste!' When this becomes our experience, life will be a different thing to us; it will not be dull and empty. You know how we get absorbed in other reading, perhaps a novel, and it leaves a gloomy, unsatisfied feeling when it is done, but the Bible is never done, and the studying it grows and grows every day. When the Lord comes, I'm afraid we shall not feel comfortable if he finds us studying hard on every other book and his laid by covered with dust. If I were to ask you what book you would advise me to spend the most of my time on, the few years that I live, whether the Bible or the current literature of the day, you would probably say

ng be devoted to Bible study, and a committee be appointed to select something

eceiving an affirmative vote. It was further suggested and

Use the Book.' I shall ask you to look out texts on the subjects, and to bring pencils and Bibles that you will not be afraid to mark, and do, dear sisters, let us give

RT

BOOK

lace curtains with very long trails, a dark, many-coloured carpet, mirrors, and handsome furniture wearing linen aprons; the whole thing shut up stately and dark, except on high days; this, instead of the cheery room where five-minute callers with cards and best toilets seldom ca

a gem of a study than a parlour, but was the best and handsomest room in the house, whatever it might be called; and here Mrs. Lewis knit, and sewed and studied, here the fire was always bright and the welcom

most of us would display if we found a jewel in our path. In thinking of this subject: 'How to use our Bibles,' I am reminded of my first sewing machine. Many years ago, when sewing machines were not as common as now, my husband sent to New York and purchased one for me. I read the instructions, and followed them as I thought, but I did not succeed, the thread knotted up in heaps and it skipped stitches. After repeated failures I set it aside, and plodded on in the old way, trying to do all the sewing of my large family by hand. At last a lady from a neighbourin

ourse, no use to you until you had learned all its mysteries, it was the same as locked up to you, you needed

it is, we may go from Genesis to Revelation and never once look into the eyes of our Saviour with trusting faith, yet there he is on every page. Food is nothing to us when hungry if we do not eat it, and truth will not save us if it be not realised. 'Then opened he their understanding that they should u

s by without reading my chapter, but I confess that I do it because it is my duty. Everybody can't be like one woman that I used to know. She kept her Bible by her in her work-basket, every few minutes she would take it up and

teach you all things,' will be fulfille

his favourite, because in all its one hundred and seventy-six verses the Bible is mentioned in every one except two. I have also heard that it is a favourite w

od and the Holy Spirit have written a Book and we have it! and, what is stranger still, that we dare to neglect it. One would suppose that a superstitious fear would make people read it, if nothing else. I believe that the Lord himself sent that solemn realisation to

is' neighbours, "because she made so much of that Mrs. Barnes." No one had ever thought of calling such a dignified, intelligent-looking woman a "washer-woman," and yet she did take some of her neighbours' clothes to her home and wash and iron them-why not? since she was strong and they were not, and she wanted money and they wanted clean clothes. However it was, th

ld Bible and read, "As new born babes, desire the

e called the doctor, and he said, 'Why this child is starving to death! What do you feed him? Don't give him any more such stuff,' he said. 'Try another cow, and give him pure milk.' So we got a new milch cow and fed him fresh milk, and I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful change it made in that child in less than three weeks' time; the dear little fellow got just as plump, his hands were like cushions, and he was well and happy as a robin. Maybe that's the reason there are s

Taylor, Pascal, and Thomas a'Kempis himself, work mischief, if

him, so I just took one of his lectures the other day after dinner, and sat down by the fire. But dear me! I couldn't make anyt

smiled as s

is something worth having. He speaks to Boston people mostly, you know, and perhaps they would not understand very plain English. Here is a sentence from him, though, that is cl

most. Why does that not apply to our minds as well? Now I am naturally melancholy, and need something to raise my spirits.

ok on the pretty young wife, and whisp

y testimony with theirs, that in a long lifetime-part of it spent in every variety of worldly pleasure-that there is nothing, nothing that has or can give me

o appetite for good bread and milk, and such nourishing food, I know there is something amiss with them-they are sick-and did you ever notice this? Children who are allowed to live mostly on these knicknacks do not relish plain food, and do

a good many times a day, but I was very weak for a long time: I couldn't even hold my Bible to read it, and I began to fret about it; I was used to reading my two or three chapters a day, and I felt sort o' lost without them. One day my next neighbour brought in what she called a 'Silent Comforter,' and hung it on the wall; it had only three or four texts on a page in large letters, so that I could read it without glasses. Well, what a comfort that was, to be sure. I had nothing to do all day but lie there and think of those verses; it seemed like a new Bible. Every morning they turned a leaf over, and I was more anxious to see what my new verses would be, than to eat my breakfast. When I got a little stronger I wrote down everything I got out of them. Well, I tell you it was just wonderful how much there was in them. I had more good of the Bible, it seemed to me, t

halt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." "I hope in thy Word." "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word there is no light in them." "Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." "I trus

will be your best diary. You can do little better in reading than to fill the margins of a copy of the Scriptures once every five years full of the records of the deepes

hat way-marked texts that expressed his state of mind or heart at the time and put the date in the margin. It occurred to me that it would be

les are so precious for right understanding of the Word as a conscience void of offence toward God and man.' He also said in reference to Bible study, 'Wonderful is the light one gai

face expressed lively sympathy with all she heard, "we do not get the comfort from the promises that we might. The Lord says, 'Put me in remembrance,

in his house, which was large and pleasant, and he and his wife lived in the kitchen, hovering in the coldest weather over a small fire because he thought he ought not to afford any more, when he had only to go to the bank and present his

it, search it, desire it, talk of it, try all things by it, sound our experience by it, plead its promises, commit it to memory, trust in it. It is to be our food; no other food will feed an immortal soul. It is to be our joy, to give to us comfo

HEAT

e may prate of antiquities, and the associations clinging about them that render them beautiful, but after all, every couple will always look back with delight to the time all their surroundings were fresh and

in at the window might well wonder "if heaven were nicer than that." The coffee-urn sent up a fragrant little cloud as Mrs. Thorne turned it into delicate cups with just the right quantity of cream and sugar, so tha

ry well, I imagine," said Mr. Thorne, eyeing the doub

ponded Mrs. Thorne. Said hands were very white and small, but t

baking that spoils th

at they are spoiled? I'm sure th

agree, my dear. They are white-look

ckwheat cakes; they are al

observation goes," said her husband; "then these ar

orne, patronisingly. "Buckwheat cakes never look different

my mother's or you coul

f those detestable men who always go about telling how "their mother" used to do; "

rs that there is nothing quite so good as he used to get at home; even the very same things

s to "growing older." "No one need try to convince me," he answered quite warmly, "that I shall ever cease to enjoy the dishes my

s. Thorne, with a little flash of her blue ey

I suppose. Joanna need bring in no more cakes for me; they

into the hall and out of the front

heat cakes of the season! The truth is, when Mr. Thorne had said the day before, "What if we have some buckwheat cakes?" that Ruey did not feel all the confidence in her ability that her answer implied; but then there w

brings perfection. It is one thing to watch Bridget making bread a few times, and another thing entirely to make it one's self. So much of Ruey's knowledge was theory, not yet reduced to practice, that she imagined herself much more skilful than she really was, conseq

ride. If Philip had only understood it all a little better, he need not have brough

so much for eating! His mother's cakes indeed! As if anybody could equal my dear precious mother in anything!" While he told himself that he "wouldn't have thought Ruey

Philip would come. I'll have muffins for tea just to please him. I know I can make muffins;" and "Poor little Ruey, I went

, peace offerings on the domestic a

hin them then. He said they were sour and bitter; sugar is sweet and ought to remedy that." So in went the water to thin them, and the sugar to sweeten them. "He said," she further mused, "that they ought to b

chat when the first instalment of cakes arri

s this?" sai

umphantly. "She fixed 'em

, then at each other, and b

carefully, she insinuated her knife under just the outer edge of the cake, then gradually approached the centre, but when the final flop came, they went into little sticky hopeless heaps. "They are too thin," she ejaculated. "Joanna, bring flour. Now we shall have it all right." Then another set took their places on the griddle; these held together

imself in the morning

em any more; we have en

lip; there was a mistake made, they were too t

as if he wou

my mother's cakes are nice and thin

re, not she; it was not her way to give up easily and yield to discou

yeast enough in those others," she said, as she mixed some fresh butter and added an extra quantity of yeast. "Keep them warm while rising," the rece

ntered her dining-room and found a small sea of batter on her carpet, surrounding the pail and widening in all directi

rpet, then hastily calling Joanna to clean it up-"Philip should not see that." When the cakes were brought in this morning, Ru

ld not be the first to speak of any lack, as if she were not supposed to know more about such matters than he.

l allow me, I would sugge

cooking than she did-"and pray how do you happen to be so wise? You must have assisted your mother in the kitch

his country home before, when she got her spirit

ry, but I do know a little chemistry, and understan

oda into the batter, and then returned to the dining-room to await developments. These cakes were yellow and spotted, and savoured of hot l

d Ruey, bursting into tears. "I knew

uld not spoil them, if properly used; grieved at hi

tched things. They are unwholesome anyway, and

e sighed at the prospect of discordant breakfasts through a series of experiments. A text ab

ked to the kitchen, and with her own hands sc

ngs," she remarked to herself, "but I shall never g

nd will need a very early breakfast. Let Joanna just make me a cup of coffee. No cakes, reme

dawn of the next morning as he hurried to the

at was a day's journey when it could all be accomplished before dark; then it was going to be a bright day, she could see that by the rosy flush in the east; just the day for a journey. Besides, Philip could not go to visit them this winter, and how delighted they would be to have her

ed to know exactly how Philip's mother made those cakes. She could not be happy until she succeeded. Here appeared an old trait of t

o'clock train; the happy Joanna being dismissed to her home for a week, after carrying her mistress's satchel to the depot. Mrs. Thorne had

how she was whizzing along in one direction, and Philip in another, while he thought her snug at

ved Ruey with open arms, and followed her about with their eyes, apparently fearing she would vanish as unexpectedly as she had appeared-"Philip's wife" caring enough about them to come so far to see them in the middle of winter, all alone, too-not many daughters-in-law like that. They hung upon her words, and brought out the choicest of ev

ar old eyes. How happy they were-Philip's other self in that vacant chair. Moreover, she ate those famous cakes. It was all true, they were brown; they were thin and delicate, and light and sweet, and tender, the most delicious morsels, with the amber maple syrup

to kitchen, initiating herself into the mysteries of this and that dish, and storing up many a lesson of housewifely skill. It all came out after a little; the struggle she had been through with those "horrible cakes." Father Thorne laughed until the tears came, to hear his pretty daughter

o horribly bitter

too much yeast

n a teacupful

hook her sides with

or two dozen people; you only need about two t

ver creation when I left

enough for them to rise, and th

ade the

they were baked. Very likely they would have raise

when they are so

a litt

they were, yellow and spotted, and ugh! how they tasted. Phili

augh, "that you must not put in but a little, and you must d

pronounced an adept in the work. This was not all she did. She put new life in the silent old house, sung all her songs, read the newspapers aloud, made a cap for mother Thorne, and a marvel

id on the day that Ruey had fixed upon for her return. "It has been snowing ha

ome to-night, and what will he think if he

se old father, "bette

lp

have tea all ready and sit there demurely waiting for him, and he never will imagine that I have been off on

e said to his wife when they were toasting their

her light down here like a pretty bird, to sing and chatter to us. Philip always did know just the

situation? The storm raged through the day, increasing each hour in strength and fury. The long train began to plod in a laboured, tired way, after the manner of mortals, stopping often, while snow-ploughs in advance cleared the track. Darkness came down and still the fearful mass of whiteness piled itself in huge billows about them. The snow-ploughs were unavailing; as fast as they cleared a space the wind surged down and filled it up in a trice. The

wed them on this train. They were all there, the woman with five children and the one with a lap-dog, and all acted out their individual natures more fully than they might have done under other circumstances; many lost that reticence that is supposed to belong to well-bred people on a journey, and told out their private affairs. The man of business knit his brows and said that he "must reach C-- by a certain time or the consequences would be most disastrous." The fashio

and when another, a sad mother, unable longer to control her grief, moaned out, "My child will die before I can get to her," this woman was the one who went to her with words of comfort. Ruey's poor perturbed heart envied that calm face. She felt well-nigh distracted, not so much at the fact that she was cold and hungry, but what would Philip think when he returned and found her gone? No one knew where; not even a neig

into the stores, but no Ruey. He called upon her most intimate friends-they didn't know she was absent. He racked his brain; was she out to tea? but she expected him home that very day. As the evening advanced he began to be thoroughly alarmed. Perhaps she had met with some horrible fate in her own home. He forced the door and entered. The pretty rooms

ding storm Mr. Thorne drove at a rapid pace to Joanna's home. The sleepy girl, when roused, could at first give but an exasperating "Nix" to his eager questions. Finally from her

-"Ruey left here for home yesterday morning on the seven o'clock train." He soon learned that said train was snow-bound a hundred miles away. His anxiety now assumed a new phase. Would she starve or freeze before he could reach her? There was no time to be lost. Supplying himself with provisions, blankets, etc., he took the first northerly train, travelled as far as he could by rail, then hired conveyances to carry him to where men and snow-ploughs were cutting a road to the imprisoned cars. Mr. Thorne joined them in their work. His strength seemed superhuman. Muscular men were amazed at his swift, dexterous movements. All day they toiled. The following night was a terrible one to the heart-sick passengers. The fires we

ed by turns, and all the passengers were in lively sympathy with the litt

e straight from mother Thorne's kitchen; and some of the home butter was there, sweet as roses; some of the gold

tell you I

id, notwithstanding the outlay of doubts and fears, money and t

old bonnet who carried the untroubled face and the worn book. Deep in her heart a new purpose had taken root; an ambition not only to

AND GA

limbs of her baby and robing her in dainty garments of flannel and embroidery. Then she struggled through the notes of a sad lullaby, and now th

a few moments before-"I see no other way, my dear: you will be obliged to take baby and go to Uncle Joshua's for the sum

e, although he and Aunt Patty were kind and pleasant. Faith had vivid memories of a few weeks spent there soon after her marriage. They lived on their farm, two simple-minded old people, spending the evening of their lives in quiet happiness; but the place was dreary, remote from any town or neighbours. She had found it pleasant when her husband was with her and the two took long rambles, or spent the day under the trees, reading and talking, but how could she endure it alone? rising with the birds to an early breakfast, then an

eper, handsome, intelligent, and with unblemished reputation though he was, and held a good position in one of the largest and oldest firms in the city. The uncle had more ambitious plans for his favourite niece. He did not forbid the marriage, but gave Faith to understand that if she persisted in marrying a poor man, when a good half million awaited her acceptance, she did it

he roomy, elegant mansion where she had spent her life, and so was the noisy, dusty city with the beautiful, quiet old town where trees and flowers and birds and pure ai

as most fortunate in such times to have any assured income. The outgo was greater than the income, and it was plain that they must seek a less expensive home. They made many trips to the suburbs in the hope of obtaining board at a price that would be within their means, in some pleasant rural home, but no such home opened its doors; evidently the dwellers in the suburbs, when they did take boarders, meant to make it "pay." Then they searched the papers and read all the advertisements under the head of "Boarding" within the city. They climbed long flights of stairs, and interviewed landladies, and looked at rooms with the

d after all. Spring, though, brought troubles; the sun shining squarely upon them through the winter had served to brighten up things and save coal; but now he became an enemy, pouring his fierce rays nearly all the long day into the two windows

ble odours of fried ham and cheap coffee; each busy with their own thoughts, possibly of green fields, apple-blossoms, spring violets, tables with damask and s

ndure it any longer; s

s beginning to droop and have feverish days over the advent o

r and mother, and an old homestead to go to in an emergency like this. As it is, I do not see any other way but for you to

sekeeping in a small

they have furnished rooms, rent free. Think of rent, furniture, and all the pots and kettles and pans that housekeeping requires, besides

suburbs and furnish it by degrees, and I

ink I can see you with blistered fingers and aching head, studying cook-books. No, Faith, we shall be obliged to live in two places this summer, I fear. I know it will be lonely for you at uncle Joshua's, but for your own sake and the dear baby's, it must be done. Let us be of good cheer, and perhap

ng despair before a difficulty until every energy had been put forth to remove it. She sat long and ponde

so glad I never told him that I took lessons of Dinah all one winter before we were married. I'll surprise that boy some day with my knowledge. If it were not fo

her young nurse, she was soon on her way, not to "Madame Aubrey's," but to plain Mrs. Macpherson's, who lived

ooms wore such a pleasant, home-like air; they were cool and comfortable-looking, and not a fly to be seen. Fa

he wearily leaned her head back in the comfortable old rocking-chai

ed for the first time the dark rings under Faith's eyes, and the eyes themselves looke

u, child," she said, "

I help

th, contrary to her reticent nature, found herself tellin

one who can. Why don't you go straight to the dear Lord and tell him all about

t never seemed to me that God would condescend to t

he is our Father, and we are his children, and is he going to stay away off up in heaven and not care about our everyday troubles. No, just you tell him, and believe that he'll help you in some way, and he surely will. You see I can tell all about this because I've proved it. I know it is so, and it's not every minister that knows that. We had a real young minister to preach for us las

k. Tell me how you came to feel so sure about things. I need

old him all about it, feeling as sure that he'd help me in some way as if I'd heard him say it. Sure enough he did! the very next day a lady advertised for an apprentice to learn the dressmaker's trade. I went, and she took me, and I got just in my right place. I learned fast, and in a year from that time I could fit as well as she could herself. She offered me good wages to stay and sew with her, but I was tired of shop life and wanted a bit of a home of my own, so I rented these rooms, an

get all heated up when

d Mrs. Macpherson turned a screw and the flame flickered and glowed in one of the burners like a bright star. "Here's my fire all made, pretty soon I shall cook my dinner; over this burner I'll put my oven, and bake a potato or two nice and brown in twenty minut

cely?" Faith asked, gr

tmas I roasted one (invited in a neighbour or two, you know), and you would have thought it came out of my mother's old-fashioned brick oven, it was done so beautifully. I can wash and iron on it too, heats the irons as fast as you can use them. It's my opinion that women wouldn't get so used up at their work if they would have these stoves; it is the heat that takes all the lif

that gasoline is exp

to have an iron cook-stove, and even with my little work it would heat up everything so. Just as I got all tuckered out with it, I heard of the gasoline stove, but I couldn't afford to get one, for work was rather scarce just then. I expected, though, he would send me one before long, and sure enough he did. It wasn't many days, don't you believe, till a lady came a

ave cheered and helped me. I think I shall have more trust hereafter, and who kn

t, I wish

ay, all the birthday and holiday gifts of many years, several of them quite costly. She hesitated a little over a beautiful watch and chain, but finally laid them with the others-a fair offering at the shrine of love, retaining only a plain gold pin and the rings her husband gave her. When baby took her afternoon nap, Faith gathered up her rings, and pins, and ear-rings, and bracelets, and chains, and all the o

in this way; but when a woman sacrifices her ornaments for such an object I want t

ith; she could have hugged him, but

nnot tell you how

d into sunshine! She recognized the hand of the dear Lord in it all; these suggestions and plans were given by him. His loving kindness was over her; she would never doubt it more. When her husband returned at evening she tried to banish from her tell-tale face all traces of exult

dy to go?" he asked in t

s pocket made her eyes dance

talk about that to-night, let me read you

don't believe Faith is going to feel our f

ly newspapers diligen

always t

o that it seemed quite like being in the country. Green fields and hills stretched away on either side, and the one broad, quiet avenue was shaded with maples, grand old forest trees. It looked like Paradise to Faith. She soon found the cottage, a lovely nest of white and green glimmering through the trees, the smooth lawn gay with daffodils and crocuses. Vines clambered over the porch, and the sweet breath of lilies and violets distilled subtle perfume on the spring air. She stood on the porch a

. One would have supposed, at the least, that Mrs. Vincent was furnishing a hotel; bu

The young housekeeper bought carefully; there was nothing for mere show, but when it was all arranged in the little house, and Faith's pictures hung on the white walls, there was nothing to be desired in the way of b

oset, looked lovingly at a row of tin dishes new and shining, bestowed admiring glances at the gasoline stove, the presiding genius of the whole, then she opened the outside door into an old-fashioned garden, filled with lilacs and roses, and pinks and southernwood, and all spicy plants and fragrant herbs. She sat down to rest a few minutes, she had accomplished such wonders to-day. Daisy had been left for the day in the care of a kind old lady, and Faith, hiring a woman to

a little trip on the street car out into the

I must make the most of my family now;

ossessions were not long after on the way to Maplewood, a

th said, as they alighted from the car at Maplewood.

of the cottage door, invited him to come in and be seated, while she passed on into the next room. A few moments, and the

a mist the white table arranged with exquisite neatness and care, decked with flowers and spr

Is this heaven?

almost cried by turns! and even baby seemed to realise that some

hey talked it all

of all this? How happy we shall

rs. Macpherso

r that it seems this could not have

aven," Faith said, in reverent tones,

rated this new home to the Lord, and themselves anew to his service, thereby feeling a

s there is but just one woman in the whole world that knows how to cook. The plan failed in no particular; the magic

MIN'S

nds or broad acres, yet Mrs. Kensett had for forty years counted herself a rich woman. She possessed the true, tender, undivided heart of a good man-a love that nothing dimmed, that trials only made stronger, that hedged her life about with thoughtful care; even when grey hairs crowned the heads of both, this husband and wife rejoice

do us I guess as long as we stay. You can tend your flower-beds and darn my stockings, and I'll make the garde

y; I must make my will, so that if I go first you'll be sure to have the old pla

make much difference how it's fixed; it isn't anyways likely

r. Strange journey! Mysterious messenger! His grey coat hung over the chair where he laid it off, the garden tools stood against the fence, the house had a strange silence, the sunshine a cold glare. He who passed in and out yesterday, and worked and smiled and talked and read the news, to-day lay in the darkened parlour white, cold, and stil

h lay me do

t sleep

hen only

, Lord, d

iumphant faith of the singer would not have wavered, no

ed managers. They were both wealthy, but were just as eager to secure the small sum that would fall to them as was Hannah, another daughter, who married a poor man and had many mouths to feed. Whatever of sentiment or tender feeling these

ities and tender, poetical nature of both father and mother, while the oth

?" said Benjamin. "It will only b

ing the youngest would naturally live with her, and share the benefits, and in the end hope to fall

e house again, nor get a cent," Ben exclaimed indignantly, "if mothe

ortable homes, and it will be much more sensible for her to live amongst us than try to keep hou

that mother had better not try to keep house, but wou

e that, begging to be taken in, no place that she can call home; it's too bad! This place i

; she will live much more easily with us. You ought to see that we propose to be quite generous with mother. Of course the interest of h

r!" Ben

his own account, soon," said John, "then mother wi

r you to come around finding fault with us who propose to bear all the

to his from the photograph on the wall. He made a firm resolve, though, as he walked sadly away, that t

other self had gone-where she could not follow, that for days it

ith his own hands," but the worldly-wise son, who had outgrown "foolish sentimentality," over-ruled her. It all went, the cradle in which they rocked, the old clock, the table they surrounded so many years. The rage for the antique had not yet shown itself, or John's wife and Maria, would have secured some of the old-fashioned furniture. As it was, they could not think of having their houses lumbered by it. The other two daug

e," said B

fell to him and placed it in the bank to his mother's credit. "The interest money won't amount to much, mother," he said, as he handed

family was much neglected and she was only too glad to transfer to her old mother what little care she did give them. The restful days were gone, one would have supposed that Mrs. Sinclair had engaged, in her mother, a maid

l children, to go through the round of story-telling, tying shoes, mending tops and dolls, and minister to the thousand small wants and

ildren. What patience and wisdom, skill, and unlimited love it calls for. God gave the w

loved children, but when baby writhed and fretted with aching teeth and would not be comforted, and Master Freddy resented the least correction by vigorous kicks from his stout little boots, and Miss Maude lisped, "I shan't! You a

e work to pass the time away," and in time numberless little garments were sent there too, aprons and dresses, and she sat and stitched from morning till

othe Mrs. Sinclair's conscience when it proved troublesome, but in truth she would not have enjoyed introducing her plain-looking mother to her fashionable friends. "So old style." Th

lilac, or a June rose from the garden. Once in a rare while she succeeded in getting to church. It was a difficult thing to bring about, though; when nothing

easant home among trees and flowers and greenness that she had pictured was not there; instead, a bare frame house on a side hill without a tree or vine; there was no time to enjoy them had they been there; the long hot days were filled up with work; endless milking and baking and churning, and the unselfish mother put in he

for remaining at home, in the summer the horses were tired, or it was too hot; in the winter it was too cold, or too something. Many a dreary Sabbath the sad

is thy dwe

of host

nacles of

ant, Lord

soul longs

s thy cour

art and fl

g God f

of her pastor's voice in that far-away, pleasant village that used to be her home; now she had no ho

and gave her welcome to such as she had, but she lived in a small house, with a large flock of children, undisciplined, rough, and noisy. I

like a dov

then wou

hat I might

in rest

all alone. I dare say I got out of the way and he had to bring me back. He sent me all that peaceful, comfortable time; I was very glad to have his wil

elightful d

Lord will c

all see

comfortable sort of person; she had dreaded her not frequent visits to their home. Both were glad when they were over. Twenty years had passed since his marriage; she never seemed to get any nearer to his wife. Now

nt is more complete with a man at the head of it, for that was the chief end of her life to keep all things in perfect running order in that elegantly appointed home, and to keep abreast of the times in all new adornings and furnishings under the sun. One Scripture admonition at least she gave heed to: she looked well to the ways of her household. One might explore from garret to cellar in that house and find nothing out of place, nothing soile

ybody was controlled by certain unvarying and inflexible rules, the old mo

lack of loving sympathy, he would have been astonished. The faded eyes often grew dim with tears as she looked at him-the frigid, unbending man-and remembered him as he was in those first years of her married life, darling little Johnnie in white dresses and long curls, running after butterflies and picking flowers; if he only would kiss her once more, or do someth

hough they may strive to hide them and find excuses for the cold neglect, indifference to their comfort, i

her knitting and knit on, often through tear-blinded eyes. Sometimes she did not hear a remark the first time and would ask to have it repeated, but the manifest impatience with which it was done

om the son who is the honoured citizen; from the daughter who shines in her circl

ar boy's tender love and reverence for his mother. Never did maiden watch for lover's missive with more ardour; sometimes he wrote one day, sometimes another, but always once a week, and Mrs. Kensett kept a sharp look out for the postman; when the time drew near for him to come she made many journeys down the stairs to see if she could get a glimpse of him. When the expected letter was not forthcoming she felt somehow as if the postman were to blame. But when he did come, ah! that was the one bright day of the we

sword pierce the dear mother heart by withholding that which costs us so lit

be the last of her comfort in him; he would marry and settle down, and probably be just like John-given up to business. He pictured out his future bride as good and lovely. Of course he thought so, but poor Mrs. Kensett could get

income would at all warrant it. But as John Milton when he met Mary Powell fastened his eyes earnestly upon her, knowing that he had found "Mistress Milton," so Benjamin, the first Sabbath he took a class in the mission Sab

gain on the following Sabbath, nor how for a time she searched diligently through every assembly for that one face that had such strange

d opportunity came at last. The holidays brought the annual entertainment for the children, and under the friendly boughs of the Christmas tree the acquaintance began, and progressed remarkably fast. It was not strange either, considering that each had been in the other's thoughts constantly for the last six weeks. They walked home in the moonlight wondering at the singular beauty that crowned the earth. The te

"What wilt thou have me to do?" And as she had eagerly, unreservedly followed the world, so now she gave herself up body, soul, time and wealth, to the service of the Lord, and she was far more sweet an

er; had it been dear Benjamin alone that she was to live with, how she would have hailed her deliverance, but another son's wife! How could she face her, and be dependent on her? It would be her house and her money that provided everything. She would f

their thoughts and motives. Being not possessed of any such power, mother Kensett vexed her soul in one city, while in another, two young people, happy as birds, held long consultations as to which shoul

nd spacious apartments, surrounded by magnificent grounds. During the last few months it had been thoroughly

as, leaning on the arm of her youngest son, she mounted the marble steps,

ft and rich, the chairs luxurious, and curtained windo

rozen? Wealth to this mother meant

iff silk train would sweep in, extend the tips of her fingers, and c

the dining-room-a room full of warmth and light-the tea-table already

nto a knot behind, was bending over the grate toasting a piece of bread by the coals. S

the toasting-fork was dropped, and with a low cry of joy Marian sprang into her husband's arms; then, without waiting for formal words of introduction, claspe

self," she explained, as she took up her toasting-fork and went on with her work, and the old mother sat and feasted her eyes on the pretty picture-the bright, happy face, the quick, graceful movements, as she dexterously put last little touches to the table, chatting pleasantl

joy of two children to see how she liked everything. She would have been hard to suit if she had not liked it. The room was a large, p

ise brightened up. The sofa, too, of ancient pattern, that had stood in her parlour at Hawthorn for forty years, looked like an old friend in a new dress. Benjamin had ransacked all the carpet stores to find a carpet that wo

and the snuffers on the japanned trays. It was not alone that the old times were brought back so vividly that made the tears come, but

me in such a strange, unexpected way, it, and so much more than he had asked or looked for; this princely home,

prise when he brought out a little worn ps

une that fits it; I wish I knew what m

the very one," she said; and then the pure voice so

od, for h

y lasts

s with hea

of Gods

cert

ercie

irm an

rna

leased her, and she sang others,

y Shepherd, I

me down

s green he

et wate

le by little, with her coaxing ways, Marian succeeded in effecting a change in her mother-in-law's dress, and when one day everything was finished, and she had her arrayed in a fin

in jet pin; "it is just delightful to fix you up, everything sets yo

erson who spoiled delightful confidences for young people; they talked freely together, and with her, and she renewed her youth in their lively intercourse. When company was announced she was given to retiring in haste from the room, just as she did at Maria's and John's, but Marian stopped that with "Please do stay, mother, and help us entertain them

that she had entered upon. With Marian she visited charitable institutions, dispensed bounties-read the Bible to the sick and poor, and ministered comfort to many a distressed soul. They attended wonderful meetings, and sat in heavenly places, and Marian and she

ogether as this strange personal love to Christ? They talked and read together, they were

efitted for a summer residence, and Mrs. Kensett trained again the vines in her garden, her cup was full; especially

oul, bless G

that i

d up, his

ify and

soul, the

t forg

gracious

TUE AND CO., LIMITE