Flip's Islands of Providence""

ess and discouragement. There was a heavy black cross drawn through the date of his return to work. He had come in that night when it was over weighe

ed, fiercely checking off the time with a stubby pencil. "And that much to old Jimmy, and that much for fire and extr

nvited to come again, and had gone back to his calendar to count the nights until the next meeting. Ever since he had left home, he had longed with a longing that was like hunger for the companionship of young people such as he had known at home.

merry Christmas days at home, since the first time he and Flip had hung up their stockings beside their grandfather's wide chimney-seat. This was the first time he had ever missed foll

ot drive back, and when he laid down the calendar he had been mechanically e

ge of work came the first of February, and a slight advance in wages. The manager, who had kept a keen eye on him, was beginning to think that at last he had found a boy who was worth

t week in January. He did not see it until he stepped into the bank to have the check cas

nutes awaiting his turn at the little barred window. In that tim

D CALCULATIONS ON THE

nod of assent, the cashier counted out several small bills, and laid a shining five-dollar gold piece on

e in time. Her birthday was on the twenty-first of the month. At first he thought he could not wait three long weeks before sending it. He wanted her to have the plea

as box. Then he carefully put it in the inner pocket of the old wallet he carried. But scarcely a night passed be

r meetings. It was like a bit of home to sit there in the midst of the young people, singing the familiar old hymns, and he sang them so hea

e members were really consecrated Christians. There were more socials and concerts and literary evenings than devotional meetings. Most of the members belonged to old, wealthy families, and had always been accustomed to leisure and pocket-money. Alec soon realized the bounds that were set to his s

and baker may be bidden any day, in simple village fashion, to banquet with the judge, only such an one can understand the feeling of a

atic father and mother, sweet and refined, like a dainty white flower. He wondered if her slim-gloved hand would ever b

ngel. Once, urged on by one of the factory boys, an almost overwhelming temptation had seized him, but the remembrance that if he yielded

nce it sheds, went serenely on in her gentle, high-bred way. Alec held no large

were begging him to go with them for a little game of cards and a lark afterward. "No telling where I would have drifted

the maiden knight "whose strength was as the strength of ten because his heart was pure," it took on a new meaning because she had praised it. He learned the entire poem by

literary contest at the high school, when Avery's essay took the prize. Alec had man?uvred for a week to get a

came out to the carriage on her father's arm, with a fleecy evening cloak wrapped round her, and he saw the prize. She

I EVER EARNED IN MY LIFE

c in her smile, so that he felt that the remark was addressed to him. "It is so pre

gold coin, and, looking at it, thought he could

nly, elegant boy in appearance, but Alec knew the reputation he had among the young fellows who knew hi

could prevent it, and even if he is Avery's cousin and such

hristian Endeavour Society had pledged themselves to pay five hundred dollars of the amount due on it, but part of the sum was still lacking, even after all the social

unday school at home that he felt no embarrassment in doing so now, except when he reached the row of chairs where Avery and her cousin sat. He sneezed

d and went back to his seat. As Alec came forward, the president asked him in a low tone

he two chairs were old Gothic ones, recently retired from the church pulpit to make room for new furniture. There were a number of

nd as Alec laid several little piles of c

aning over to catch the report Alec gave in an undertone. "Four dollars and

l difficulties. Alec, still watching, saw Ralph Bently make a move to rise, and Avery's hand was laid detainingly on his arm.

ollection should amount to far more than four dollars and ninety-six cents. Miss Win

fiery crimson. He was indignant that Ralph Bently should have been so wanting in courtesy as to proclaim in public the amount of his cousin's donation, the cherished gold piece she had won at the prize contest.

ntly disturbed, and counted the m

f," he said; "four dolla

ically. The secretary shoved back the chair in which the money had been counted, gave it a tip that

has rolled off into some corner and the janitor will find it when he sweeps. I'll speak to him about it. Anyhow, it is too small a matter to make such a fuss ov

n he passed into the vestibule he heard voices on the

reeable little laugh; "but it's queer how

om into the auditorium of the church for the evening service, paused an insta