Year: 1878

| A4iheA pOO4 IL ehS
morning and went first to the bank
and gave in return of his business.
Mr.. Vanderlain had glanced quickly
and eagerly into his face when he
first entered, and a wondrous change
came upon the bankers manner as
the business proceeded. Something
outside the business in hand was sv-
identity on his mind.


Arthur did not reach his home
until time for dinner, but he had
sent boy from the bank with word
that he should be there.


Fanny!


Draling! Oh, I'm so glad to see
you backi


Something made the wife even
happier than she had thought, as
she rested in her husbands EN-.
brace; but in the sudden JOY she
could not see 1t, she could only feel
a great warmth, like the glow Of
heaven, as Arthur's kiss came sweet
and pure, to her lips.


AS they entered the dining room,
Arthur saw the decanter of wine
near his plate.


Take it away Fanny, he said,
smiling. If you want it hereafter
for medicine, keep it-fOr myself,
shall not want it.


Not want it, Arthur


l have done with it forever.


He spoke solemnly, with a manli-
ness that was strong and reliant.
and the wife saw whence had come
the great warmth to her heart-saw
it in the pure cheek and the clear
eye, as she caught it in the sweet
breath.


Arthur-my husband, she whis-
pered, as though hardly daring to
trust her own senses; is it truei
Do you mean forever?


While live, darling, God giving
me strength and reason.


Fanny was upon the opposite side
of the table. She tried to speak, but
her voice failed her. She turned
white-then she pressed her hand
for,an instant to her heart; and then
as the crimson food once more
bounded on its course, she covered
her face and sank down weeping
like child.


Arthur was by her side in a mo-
ment.


Fanny-my wife! What is it?


She looked up, and caught his
startled gaze through her tears.
With a quick movement she threw
her arms around his neck and pill
lowed her head upon his bosom.


Oh, Arthur Bless you-blest
you! I could die for JOY, if 1 did
not feel that could find more hap.
piness in living now for you.


Here was a new revelation. Ar.
thur Gravely now learned how his
sweet wife had suffered without dar.
ing to complain; how the worm had
gnawed at her beart-saw it ali the
more closely, because he saw in this
present time her surprising JOY and
ecstasy.


Not many words were spoken.
This was not the time for such a
heart moving theme; and as they
ate the meal Arthur told of his trip
to the distant town.


After dinner Arthur went out to
see neighbor, and, when left alone,
Fanny sat down and cried again foI
Joy; and so Mr.. Vanderlain found
her. He had come to call.


Mrs. Gravely! What has happen
ed? What is wrong?


Wrong, she repeated, looking up.
Oh, sir, it is for Joy am crying.


And then she told him the source
of the new happiness that had open
ed to her.


Mr.. Vanderlain listened, and, after
a deal of thought, he slowly said,
with his hand upon Fanny's fair
head: dear child, you may rejoice
without fear. If Arthur has pledged
his honor to this new life, be sure he
will kesp faith.


Most of the afternoon Arthur
spent at the bank; and as he sat st
the table in the private Office waiting
for the banker, feeling of sadness
and regret came upon him. 1t would
be hard to leave the old place, and
it might be a long, long time before
he could find another so pleasant.


1t was toward evening when Mr.,
Vanderlain came in, looked flushed
and selfsatisfed.


have kept you waiting, Arthur,
but have been busy. have made
a most important change in my pro
gramms.


Ahi and you are not going away?


Yes, l shall go and settle in the
country; but l shall not give up my
banking business. l have found
a new man-one safe, reliable and
competent-who, I think, will take
nv business while l am absent.


Mr.. Vanderlain, cried the young
man frankly, am glad of this, for
/ know shall be able to persuade
you to let me keep my place in your
employ.


The banker shook his head.


Arthur trembled and started to
speak.


Tut! tut-nOt your present place,
Arthur, know that you are my new
man. If you will take charge of my
business, shall not let it go from
me; and / shall leave it in your
hands, knowing that both it and yon
will prosper. What say you?


Mr.. Vanderlain!


All! my hoy, l have seen your
wife. found her crying for joy;
and, when she told me from whence
her Joy came, l knew there was Joy
for me also. To the new man l give
my entire confidence, and in his
hands / fear not to trust my name
and my honor.


II was Arthur Gravsly's turn now
10 weep; and he could no more help
it than he could have helped the
flood of peace and blesssdness that
flowed in upon his heart.


NV dear boy, said the banker, af-
terwards, l did not speak to you in
The other times as perhaps | ought;
Al L