Year: 1860

At length, lightly, laughingIy, he refer
red to the report he had heard For one
moment the frame trembled, the lips re-
fused 70 spcak-but this passed, and some
thing like flush crossed her beautiful face.
1t lighted the eyes anew, it touched the
check with richer crimson, as she re-
piled:


George, please don't treat it is jest,
for truly, thank God, l have become
Christian. 0, George? her clasped hands
were laid upon one of his, have Just be-
gun to live If you knew


The proud man sprung to his feet, al
most throwing her hands from him in his
impatient movement; and not daring to
trust his voice, for an oath WAS uppermost,
he walked swiftly back and forward for
moment Then he came and stood before
hey His forehead was purple with the
veins that passion swelled, his face was
white, and his voice unsteady, as he ex-
claimed:


Do you mean to say that you will really
cast your lot among these people, that for
them you will give up all-aH%


Il ,rtU give up all for Christ The words
were very soft and low, and spoken without
reflection.


For one moment he locked his lips to-
gether till they looked like steel in their
rigidity; then he said, in full passionate
voice:


'Lizzy-Miss Ashbrook, if these are
your sentiments, these your intentions, we
must 90 different ways


This was cruel. 1t was terrible test
for that young girl had, as it were, placed
her soul in his keeping. Before a higher,
and purer love was born in her heart, she
had given him her human love-an abso-
Lutte idolatry-and the thought of losing
him even now, caused her cheek to grow
ashen and her eye dim.


As he saw this, his manner changed to
entreaty. lie placed before her the posi-
tion he would give her; lured her by every
argument that might appeal to the woman
ly heart And he knew how to win by en-
treaty, by the most subtle cauSistry. His
was mastery eloquence. He could adapt
his voice, his language, his very looks, with
the most adroit cunning to the young Chris
tian who felt as if she must give way-that
only help direct from the fountain of life
could sustain her with tirmuesS to resist to
the end of the interview


At last it was final 'All this will give
you if you will fall down and worship me-
1t came to this Christ or men There
could be no compromise, it was Christ
Or me- And standing there, clothed with
the mantle Of a new and heavenly faith, with
its light shining in her heart and playing
over her pale features, she said, with
frmness worthy Of the martyr Of old,
CHRIST


Though his soul was filled with rage, so
that he could have gnashed his teeth, the
slight figure standing there in its pure white
robcs-the eye that cast an earnest upward
glance-the brow that seemed to have
grown white and spirit like-the attitude,
SO self possessed, yet so modesto quiet,
yet so eloquent-flled him with a strange
admiring awe. But the hostility towards
religion was so strong in his heart, that he
bore down all his tenderness, almost crush
ed his love, and he parted from her for the
first time coldly, and like stranger.


The engagement was broken off, but who
can tell the struggles it cost?


Her father had ever been very loving to-
wards her. He was proud of her; she was
the brightest gem of his splendid home.
She was beautiful and gratifed his vanity;
she was intellectual, and he heard praise
lavishcd upon her mind with a miser's
greedy ear, for she was his-a part of him
self; she belonged to him.


He called her into his study, and required
a minute account of the whole matter. lie
had heard rumors, he said-had seen a
surprising and not agreeable change in her
she had grown mopish, quiet-what was
the cause? 1t was a great trial, with that
stern, unbelieying face, full Of hard lines,
opposite, to stand and testify for Christ.
But He who had promised was with her,
and she told the story calmly, resolutely,
kindly.


'And you intend to be baptized? ?


Yes, sir'-a CLEAN of hope entered her
heart; she did not expect his approval, but
she could not think that he would abso-
lutely refuse to sanction this important
step.


'You know your aunt Eunice has long
wanted you to become an inmate of her
home ?


Yes, SIR the gentle voice faltered.


We'll, you can go now. Unless you
give up this absurd idea and trample it un-
der your feet, | do not wish you to remain
with me- Be as you were before, and you
shall want no luxury, no affection follow
this miserable notion, and henceforth am
your father only in name.


And still, though her heart was broken
she said, as she said before, CHRIST!


She did forsake all for him; but her
step became slow, her form wasted, her cheek
hollow, her eye sunken. The struggle had