Interrupted

t the surroundings of the old house spoke to her of home. The family returned and established themselves there, and the blinds were thrown open, and through the half

esitated, and proposed to talk with mamma about it, and mamma was reported to have said that it was hardly worth while; they were such entire strangers to the church and the people that of course they could not be expected to h

he two girls who were her pupils, and who, now that they had declined the invitation to join the others, were more shut off from them than before. Miss Benedict took care, however, not to refer

case, the way op

nded, was making the return trip with all speed, lest the darkness fast c

ust have walked two miles, and it is beginning to snow. W

ked upon the darkness and silence of the country with a sort of terror, and was making swift strides, not pausing even to

ust go with all speed. Underneath the freshly-falling snow lay a treacherous block of ice, and as the hurrying f

ind for assistance? How plainly she could see the forms flitting about that bright room! yet they might as well be miles away, so far as her power to reach them was concerned. She made a second effort to rise, and fell back with a groan; it was best not to attempt that

te cause?" Then in a lower tone: "I believe it is a woman!" By this time he had reached her side, a young

at moment he waited to lift his hat, "did you

r: under embarrassing or trying circumstances of any sort, where the average young woman woul

without growing faint, so I am keeping still; I thought I needed my senses just now. If you can think of

ore she understood what he was planning sufficiently to attempt a protest, he had stooped and unceremoniously picked her up, and was taking swift strides across

re did, while her porter threw open the door, strode through the wide hall, and

he said. "Mamma, Alice,

matter? Did you run over her? Why, Fannie, it is

hed what she had so often threat

ed, directly her eyes were open ag

over her, with eyes like Ella and hair

e sometimes very painful for awhile. We have sent for a physician, and shall soon kn

ent with eager fingers

oo bad? But since you were going to fall,

now? This is our

her acquaintance in this manner, and glad t

king out, and calling in a friendly way on her daughter's music-teacher; but she was one who, when t

to be a good woman, so far as she sees the way to it out of the environments of her wo

music-teacher, who was supposed t

prained, advised entire quiet for a few days, heartily seconded Mrs. Ansted's suggestion that t

cure quiet, and there is no occasion for submitting to the discomfort of getting there. This is decidedly the place for you. Since it was the

rtunity! Certainly not of her planning. She must take care how she closed the door on it. Behold her, then, an hour later, domiciled in one of the guest chambers of the beautiful old home, where every touch of taste and refinement, yes, and luxury, soothed her heart like a breath from home. This was the home to which she had heretofore been accustomed. More elegant her own had been, it is true, but the same disregard to money that had characterized the belongings of her father's house wer

her pretty room, considering what there was to do that day. She had already feasted royally; the delicate breakfast that had

in the dining-room bel

he could appreciate the little refinements of life. I quite enjoyed sending her that quaint

ink of going back to the thick dishes and cheap knives o

bably not remain long enough to get spoiled. She is really

ays she had seen, oh, very different; yet this young girl, so suddenly stranded on what looked like a rough shore, was already beginning to question whether, after all, these were not her "better days." Had she ever before leaned her heart on Christ as she was learning now to do? Busy in his cause she had always been, eagerly busy, ever since she could remember; but she began to have a dim feeling that it was one thing to be busy in his cause, and quite

losed, the Ansted

d who lingered and chatted with the cheerful young prisoner after Mrs. Foster had taken her departu

r full name. That is singular, is i

erested. "Is she nice? Shall I

the daughter of Sidney L. Benedict, a millionnaire. I suppose you do not know of her, though she is a namesake. I heard more about her father perhaps than I did of her. Ever so many people seemed to admire him as a wonderful

e turned toward her questioningly, and found that the eyes

, "does your ankle pain you so badly? Somethin

's hand de

and his goodness was not oppressive, it was his joy. He has gone now to wear his crown, and I am proud to be his daughter Claire. But oh, there are times when the long

She is one of the Boston Benedicts! A daughter of that Sidney L

rst astonishment was over, "but I thought he had done i