Year: 1879

The vicar was well acquainted wit
the resources of his congregation. an,
knew they could not contribute mucl
TO the cause he pleaded; but, as he re
remarked, they might at least give a Dor
ton to Gods service and that the widow
mite rendered willingly was dearer in Hi
sight than the gold grudglngly contribute,
by the wealthy. But even at this appeal
when Mrs Willis observed the hectic flusl
upon Lucy cheek, and noted how the ex
ertion of even walking to the church tol,
upon her, she felt half inclined to harder
her heart in favor of her young companion
and to keep the last sixpence in her pocket
But Lucy read Mrs. Willis's thought, anC
whispering in her ear the words s'God will
provide, the money was given up in 8
triee, and the old lady's heart leaped fol
JOY at the self sacrifice which had been ac
complished.


NOW, mother" said Lucy, when they
got within sight of their abode, I'VE wont
sit up in the dark talking, so as to lose the
glowour walk has produced, but go straight
to bed, as | must be up early"


Lounglrg against the door-post, with his
hands in his pockets, and surveying the
outer world as well as he could through
clouds of tobacco smoke he was diffusing.
was the person Mrs. Willis and Lucy owned
as their landlord.


There's a gen'elman been here asking
for you, d" he observed to Mrs. Willis, with
tug at his pipe at almost every word,
land said how he wanted you partic'ler
You see what you lose by going to church
He left note, think for you upstairs. |
didn't speak to him myself, but nv old
CONAN did, and if you want to see her
you'll find her at the Red Lion, in the Jug
bar


As neither Mrs, Willis nor Lucy had any
wish to seek their landlady in such place,
they borrowed a candle from lodger, who
was not quite so badly off as themselves, in
order to read the note said to have been left
in their room.


I'm afraidit's from Mrs Smith, mother"
said Lucy. IF so, it's blowing up, for |
told her I'd make an effort to have her
dress done for her by last night, and, as
you know, did my best"


If the room in which they lived looked
uninviting in the daytime it appeared far
more dismal when viewed by the depress-
light of a tallow candle. But the residents
were pretty well used to the aspect of the
place, and therefore devoted their attention
to the note directly. The fiickering flame
revealed it lying upon the table. Lucy held
the candle and took the note; but no sooner
did her eyes rest upon it than she turned to
an ashy paleness, and leant against her
companion for support.


''NIother, mother - she gasped, ~ can
not trust my eyes. Read, read-and
quickly!"


Mrs. Willis seized the slip of paper, but
her eyes saw the same handwriting and the
same words as Lucy:


''DOn't 90 to bed until you've seen


ALFRED"


Without a word the two women wound
their arms around each other, and wept
tears of silent joy; for unless some william
Gus trick had been practiced upon them, he
who had for years been the cherished darl
ing Of their hearts had been given back to
them once more.


Ay. and was in the room even now as he
quickly let them know, when he thought
their agitation had somewhat abated, and
that he could safely emerge from the hid
ing place he had sought beneath the bed. !
Hearing from the residents of the house in
which he left his mother and his betrothed |
that they deemed him dead, and fearing
the effect his sudden appearance might |
have upon them. he had left the note with |
in their sight, in order to announce the fact |
Of his existence as gently as he could; |
whilst the frequent visits made to the Red /
Lion by their landlord and landlady gave /
him opportunity for secretly returning to
the house, and seeking hiding place where /
he could watch the effect of his rIse.


The compassionate fellow-lodger who /
had lent Lucy the candle waited long time
ere it was returned; indeed, as matter OF
fact. that particular Illuminating medium
was not returned at all, for it had nearly .
burnt itself out ere any one remembered
hat it had been borrowed but really there
was every excuse, for Alfred had so much
@ tell: How at first he had been mfortu-
n Australia: how, in fit of desperation,
ne had resolved to try the diggins, and was
successful, getting in less than
tx months some nuggets that realized him
$40 900; how he resolved not to take his
money with him on board the Juno, but
nave it sent over on some future occasion;
now, when the steamer fOundered he had
managed to secure himself to a broken spar
md after forty-eight hours exposure had
,een picked up by passing vessel; and
inally, the difficulty he had had in finding
,is mother and bctrothed in their new
ibode.


Then. with tears in their eyes and smile
lpon their lips, they told him of the dispo-
al of their last sixpence, and of their con-
iding trust in Him who, after night OF
,orrow, sendetb joy in the morning. And
rulv their sorrow had passed away even as
tale that is told.


Their Bargain.