race, putting back her curls, and kissing the "Do go with me,

st which she had rested.

for I cannot bear to leave you here alone"; ked around the room with a shudder, and e again.

ry, I shall call for you in the morning," said 11. "Do you think you could persuade Ralph Squire Lee to-night?"

ew the deep anguish in Mary's heart! To

away, — her darling Ralph, for whom she from his earliest infancy, and who under her weak and puny infant, had become a sturdy, of seven years! Who would soothe his out-ief? Who would bear with his outbreaking 1 teach him self-control? She knew Squire noble-hearted Christian man, but it needed a entle nature to win Ralph's affections, and of she knew almost nothing.

not trust herself to speak to him, but passed ire Lee, who had already seated himself in "You and Grace must come and see Ralph the Squire, as he took up the reins. Mary

e was that Ralph had a home. She stood hesitatfter she had closed the outer door, considering in

wn mind how she should best refuse the kind offer

home for herself. Acceptance she thought quite

f the question.

e

was interrupted in her meditations by Mr. Marwho, coming quietly toward her and taking her said, in a very decided tone: "I will come for you Grace in the morning. I expect you to try my home e, Mary, and if Providence should open a way in - you can better yourself, I shall feel it my duty pleasure to assist you."

saw the mild, decided expression of his face, and it was her duty to submit to him, her spiritual in temporal matters also. Mr. Marshall saw that was gained, and, leading her into the room, ommended the two children to their father's God, went to his own home.

urpose

2

CHAPTER IV.

Tatal remembrance, one sorrow that throws eak shade alike o'er our joys and our woes.

s thought in the midst of enjoyment will stay,
a dead, leafless branch in the sunshine's bright ray."

ECTORY, the home of Rev. Mr. Marshall amily, was situated near the church, and over

y

the outstretched arms of two immense oaks, of centuries. The house was originally built eman who had sought the retirement of the case and quietness. At his death, it was purthe parish of St. James, although the church e was on the village green. When the new h was proposed, it fortunately happened that hear the Rectory a knoll covered with a fine young pines and hemlocks. This grove was and in its lovely precincts rose the hallowed church, and under the perpetual shadow of were many newly made graves.

ing the shadow of the other. The house stood at a distance from the road: its low piazza and the lux

at shrubbery and vines about it gave it a home-like, Rev. Mr. Marshall was one of nature's

ortable air.

men.

With genius and talents that would have ned any profession, he had chosen the self-denying of a country clergyman. It was for the pure love of work that he had entered that sacred office. Had Deen a worldly man, his name would have been Ided forth into all parts of the land; but he had

quelled that ambition which seeks the praise of - to engage heart and hand in his duties.

e had made, in his early manhood, one mistake, one h is often a lifelong cause of sorrow and suffering many of his brother clergymen. He had engaged self in marriage before he finished his collegiate se. Attracted by her almost faultless beauty, and quiet ways, he had wooed Ellen Maurice; but as holy ambition aspired to higher attainments, and his lect advanced to maturity, he awoke to the desire for mpanion. He was not married. Should he break

in that young Christian heart, but his conuld not tell him he might be free. He knew oved him with all the devotion of which her s capable, and a breach of faith on his part ke her life unhappy, and cast a stain on his Christian minister. The marriage was conand Ellen Maurice never knew but her hus

rt was wholly hers. And so indeed it was, so ers were concerned, for his affections never after vain hopes; but gradually he subdued g for union and sympathy which every true sin marriage, and gave the wealth of his ntirely to the Church. He had now borne the atrimony ten years, and his neck had become fitted to the burden; but the gray hairs that th his dark locks, the firm, compressed lip, and bstraction, especially at home, told that he had ferer. Even now he had frequently to brace read that passage, when it occurred in the ssons, "Husbands, love your wives, even as ed the Church."

There was much that was

llen. She had great maternal affection, with