principle which thinks, loves, hopes—'tis the soul—the breath of the Invisible, a part of Infinity."

"Does the spirit ever die?"

"Can the great I Am, filling all immensity, and sitting on the circle of the heavens, die? No, my child. Spirit lives on and on. It is immortal, it cannot perish."

This talk of the occult and unknown might have lasted indefinitely had it not been terminated by the unexpected coming of a stranger-and yet not a stranger.

Mrs. Wilmot rose to receive her unceremonious guest, while Annie, recognizing the tall, bony figure of the elder Sherman, or, as he was more frequently called, "Old Bill," did not move from the low stool on which she was sitting. After a glance round the room Mr. Sherman was first to speak.

"Was going along and thought I'd call. Hain't seen ye fer quite a spell, and ye know when folks get kinder along and grey like they like to talk over old times. If some of us make mistakes, that's not here nor there; no use in being sorry arterwards. It's like locking the stable arter the hoss is stole."

To Mrs. Wilmot these words were but the beginning of the end. Full well did she know that some sinister motive had drawn him to their humble dwelling on that sad night, when she was so entirely unprepared to cope with her bitter foe.

A moment's silence. Would he speak again, or had this hard man repented the harsh words that must open afresh the wounds of her bleeding heart?

She had not long to doubt, ere William Sherman, in a voice pitched on a higher key, went on:

"Many changes since we's boys, and I've been thinking gals should be terrible careful how they jump at these 'ere Lord Gulls, with empty pockets and mebby a little book larning, which they think will do the clean thing fer um, and it duz if they like a shaky crib and little fodder."

And again his eye went wandering round the bare room and

rested with demoniac pleasure on the pale face of Mrs. Wilmot. In the bosom of that quiet woman, chastened by many sorrows, there was a struggle, like the mad waves of old ocean dashing against the rock, ere she could meet the exultant gaze of that strange, unfeeling man. But the victory was gained, and when she spoke her voice was low and quiet as in the summer days of her girlhood. Even William Sherman felt the spell of its sweetness as she gently replied to his tirade of words.

"Although your visit was not expected, I know its import and the design of words which you have chosen, knowing as a twoedged sword they must pierce me through and through in this, the hour of our sore affliction. But they have not driven me from my fortress, from the Rock that is higher than I, my sure defense when deep waters would engulf me. Mr. Sherman, you do not know me, and will not understand when I tell you, if I could go back and choose again I would take the same path in which I have walked these many years, and in which I have found not only trial but much of real happiness."

Here's

"Well, thar," replied the incredulous Sherman, "if it don't beat all nater how consated and willful some folks is. Jest so when you was a gal. But what I was going to say: I had a little arrent here to-night. I should have waited and not come so soon arter the funeral, but have got to go away to-morrow, and shouldn't have time. I may as well tell you that neighbors get tired of helping folks that don't help themselves. Annie, old enough and big enough to airn her vittles, and that's all sich gals ever do, 'cause they eat amazingly. Mebby we can help you out and give you a lift just now by taking her to our house to help do the chores-wash dishes and fix the taters, and the old woman will larn her sunthing 'bout work. It may sp'ile her nice hands, but lots better than the poorhouse. What do you say!"

The restraining look of Mrs. Wilmot was lost on the now thoroughly aroused daughter, who rose from her seat and stood face

by the terrible hand of Death. A girl of no that mine is an individuality you can never I will let the possibilities of my young life e iron heel of your oppression? Never!" I from sheer exhaustion, her auditor found the

ur marm's own gal. Guess you'll find 'begsers.''

nd your wicked devices foiled. Though disany disasters overtake me, know you I will prouder and stronger than ever before. Tell se. There I will never go-never! Better ished in the fathomless depths of the darkest the word again to me or mine."

and a slight tap of the little foot hurried e presence of those he had sought to humiliate. Annie saw the angry man turn with clinched r he had just left, as if invoking all the angels amber of pandemonium. A sudden turn, a tone, and William Sherman was taking his ool of muddy water by the roadside, while his ine came yelping to the rescue of his master nail tugged at the back of his half-worn pants sent him to the covert of a nearby wood. it the sad eyes of the child till she saw the d face of her mother. Then she knew, with

all the rapidity of thought, that she had wounded and surprised a trusting nature and added a new anxiety to a heart already overburdened. Hastening to her side she clasped her in her arms and sobbed:

"Oh, mother, I could not help it, I could not help it."

"I fear you did not try. I have been young, and with a temperament not unlike your own, was not long in finding the pitfall to which hasty and angry words were sure to lead; forgetting that one who can control an impulsive and passionate nature is greater than the one who conquers a city. One may have courage and decision to meet all emergencies and yet preserve a ladylike dignity that cannot stoop to harsh and bitter words."

That the girl was truly sorry for the wound she had inflicted on her dearest friend there was no doubt. That she was penitent was quite another question. Lifting her head-the fount of her tears quite dry-she asked:

"What would be the gentle smile or the sweetest expression that ever danced in the eyes of a beautiful girl, or yet her words soft and musical as the notes of the eolian harp, what, I ask, would be their effect on a nature like William Sherman's ?" "But, darling, let me ask, what would the cyclone do?" "Oh, that is supposed to clear its own path and challenge whatever comes within the sweep of its broad wings. But, mother, dear, what did he mean? Much that you seemed to understand was a mystery to me. The poorhouse and pauper story I know-and supposed it was only broad acres that had divided us-but now I know that I see through a glass darkly. I would no longer live in conjecture, but know it, whatever it may be." "You have had excitement enough for one day." "Dearest mother, tell me all to-night."

"Have you forgotten that self-control and patience is often the key to success?"

"Patience," replied Annie, "with these phantoms around me. From the commencement of our trouble with the Shermans it

illity.

replied, "would not withhold aught that would ness of her child. I may have thought you too I knew this hour would come, that ere long you gh winds, and I must stand powerless to help. hat your young life should be burdened with severe and harder duties, but you have seen 'ours is not a downy pillow. You have many But I am proud to feel you will not sit down in and in useless lamentations over what you do may control circumstances and in time over: seemed insurmountable obstacles. I have not past, nor have I allowed myself to think, lest ild magnify by too much reflection, and the y early life become obscured by the dark cloud ooping wings till the light of hope was nearly kness of perpetual night."