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good Mr. Graham. The tears stood in Mary's eyes again, but they were now tears of unmingled thankfulness.

When supper was over, a gentle knock was heard at the door, and then there walked in the twelve boys of Edward's class, headed by our old friend Peter M'Gee.

They all made a salute, somewhat in military style, and Peter being spokesman came forward.

"We wished, sir, to tell you how right glad we all were that ye've got so fair and good a bride, and we wish you every happiness the Lord of heaven and earth can give; and ye know, sir, we cannot wish for more; and we hope, sir, ye'll just take this mark of our love." And, with a beaming countenance, he handed him a large and beautiful morocco-bound copy of God's holy word.

"Oh, boys, this is too much, too much!" said Edward, with heartfelt emotion.

Oh, sir, say nothing about it," replied Peter. "Ye've given us the light-the book is only the holder. Ye've made us taste the kernel, the book is but the nutshell. Don't say aught about the thanks. They're all on our side.

Ain't they, boys?"

The boys with one voice answered, "Yes, sure they are -yes, yes!

"Then if I musn't say thanks to you, my dear fellows," said Edward, “I must thank Him, who has showered down His mercies this day on me and mine. Such undeserved mercies the whole day through! And, boys, I must ask you to pray for your old teacher, Arnold, that he may in

deed be grateful; that he and his dear bride here may al

ways look right afore them to a brighter land than this can ever be, to a more hallowed marriage-supper than the one of this night; and that, looking forward we may go forward, and never tire till we are safe arrived at the heavenly Father's home. Boys, you'll pray for us, and we will pray for you, that this sacred volume may be a light unto our path, for there is no other way to guide our feet aright."

Then Mr. Graham knelt down and prayed, and all in the cottage knelt, and the best blessings were supplicated; and Edward and Mary took courage, for they felt that Heaven's sunshine beamed on the first step of their married life, for they believed that the Hearer of prayer would assuredly bless their union, and make it unto them that fountain of joy, which should strengthen them to ascend with gladder feet the mount of God, the heights of Zion.

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THE north wind had been blowing bitterly all the morning, gathering instead of dispersing the clouds that, charged with snow, seemed at length noiselessly to shake their hovering wings, and let their downy flakes descend upon the frozen earth.

The snow fell thick and cold, spotless and silent, covering the visible world with a sheet of uniform purity—an emblematic foretaste of the time when it shall again be decked in robes of righteousness, and peace shall flourish throughout its borders.

On this inclement day might have been seen, rapidly crossing the little piece of moorland that formed a portion of the road between Alleyne and Laverock, Sir Claude

Wentworth upon his fiery steed. The horse appeared to care for the weather more than the rider did. He seemed almost insensible either to the snow-drift or the blast, and there was on his countenance an expression of happy satisfaction which it had not lately worn,-there was the removal of the anxious doubt that had for so long somewhat overclouded it. Sir Claude had ventured again to tell Ethelda of his unchanged love, and she had, with a tear that she could not repress, acknowledged how she cared for him, though she positively refused to allow him to enter into any engagement with her then, since more than a year must elapse before her way could be made clear to leave her father's house. Still she loved him, and thus he could look brightly forward through future years; and thus he saw before him a sunny portion of the way, cheered by her presence who was the dearest object of his earthly affections. He was very jealous lest this bright sunbeam should dim the yet more perfect light in the distance,―lest this beautiful vista should distract his eye from the yet more transcendent glories of the land beyond the grave,—lest the delights of the creature should cause him to forget the perfections of the Creator. He watched against this temptation, and God kept him, so that he was not ensnared.

Since that bleak and dreary day, in Sir Claude's estimation the brightest of that long period, twelve months had again passed away, and the year was commenced that would probably see many changes in the family at Alleyne. So far as man could prognosticate, they would be changes

bright and happy, and Ethie and Rowland sat up till long after midnight, looking back upon the past and speaking of the possible future.

"I often think," said Rowland, "that these Newyears' mornings are milestones on a hill. We may rest on them for a little while, and look back on the way that God has led us; and then we may lock forward, and endeavour through the mist to discern the outline of the leading points in that unknown country, which we are about to enter."

"Yes," replied his sister; "it is quite clear behind, and therefore, no doubt, it is more profitable to retrace the steps we have been led. I dread looking forward into the future. The mist is so thick, even when we imagine the outline is discernible, that we are very apt to make mistakes. Should we not try to be content with the assurance that it is our heavenly Father who knows and orders our appointed lot?"

"True, Ethie; but hope will some way paint, with perhaps fancy colours, the bright pictures of the future. I own that I am looking forward very much to leaving college, and entering the ministry of my God and Saviour, and proclaiming from the pulpit the message of redeeming love; and all, I hope, before the end of this year. And then, Ethie, tell me candidly, are you not looking forward, too, to bright days at Laverock Priory?"

"Ah, but Rowly, life is always uncertain!"

"And will brighter days still, in the kingdom of our Father, be a disappointment, Ethie? Will serving in the temple above be a meaner service, than in the courts of the

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