Year: 1872

only one who was not demonstratlVe III hls
greeting, and Ethel thought his manner con.
strained and almost cold, but she little guessed
what depth of feeling was concealed under
his forced calmness, or how hard he found it
to steady his voice, as he uttered the simple
words, "Miss Ethel, am glad to see you
again at Summerfeld."


Ethel had cheerful evening, and went to
bed finding it hard to realize that so long a
time had elapsed since she had left Summer
field, everything was so familiar and un'
changed.


She realized it more fully, however, the next
day, when, in walking out with Mary, she
passed by the cottage that had formerly been
her mothers, now occupied by strangers, and
wearing less trim and tidy look than it had
done in those days. The Aower-garden had
neglected air; grass and weeds were grow
ing in the walks, and the rose-vine that she
had trained over the front-porch was withered
and dropping. Mary told her that she be
lieved the inmates were very respectable
people, but thought more of the useful than
the beautiful, and cultivated vegetables in
preference to flowers. Then they went to the
church-yard, and Ethel stood long by her
mothers grave, now marked by costly stone
of pure white marble, in the form of cross
The turf was carefully trimmed, and wreath
of flowers lately placed upon it showed that
loving hands had been at work.


II come here very often and attend to it,
Mary said; and do you know, Ethel, Barton
Elliott brings a wreath nearly every Sunday
morning? I did not know at first who it was
that did it, until once when I came earlier
than usual found him here"


"He is very kind-you are all very kind"
said Ethel, gratefully. "It is great comfort
to me to think that this is not neglected, since
am obliged to live so far away"


One of Ethel's first visits was to the kind
Doctor Anthony and his wife. They were
rejoiced to see her, and Mrs. Anthony exacted
from her promise that she would spend at
least few days with them during her stay in
Summer6eld. .....


The weeks that followed were pleasant ones
to Ethel she needed little diversion after the
sadness of the atmosphere in which she had
lived for some time past, and the kindness and
affection of her friends were successfully ex.
erted to restore the cheerfuIness of her mind
The rides she daily took strengthened and in
vigorated her, and tended greatly to enliven
her spirits, for there are few things more bra
cling and heaIthful for both body and mind
than long, rapid ride in the country on 9
fresh autumn day. The Lawtons were de-
lighted at the change which soon became ap
parent in her, and declared, after a fortnight
had elapsed, that they would not have known
her for the same girl who had come to then
looking so pale and thin. ... ..


The time appointed for the Bishops visit
was now approaching, and was to be one O
unusual interest to the people Of summer6eld
as their rector's son, known among them
from a child, was to be admitted into Holy
Orders. There was also an unusually large
number of candidates for confirmation.


The day arrived, and the little church was
filled to its utmost capacity, many Of the per
SONS present not belonging to the congregation
but all feeling a warm interest in Barton, tc
whom they were sincerely attached. The SOL
emn and impressive service was rendered more
solemn by the feeble movements and emacia'
ted appearance of the Rector, who himself
presented his son to the Bishop, having made
an effort to leave his sick room for the first
time since his illness. The face Of the young
deacon, always of spiritual cast, appeared
to glow with a holy and beautiful light, and
those who caught its radiant expression felt
that he was indeed fitted for the sacred Office
to which he had just been appointed.


In the afternoon the rite of confirmation
was administered, and thenewly-made clergy.
man preached his first sermon on the occasion


"How we'll Barton acquitted himself" Mary
remarked to Ethel, as they walked homeward
together. "Weren't you surprised at bis elo'
quence' He always seems SO quiet. '..' --


eyes, I thought his sermon very fine one u


"Father says he considers him more tai.
ented than Mr.. Elliott. wish wecould look
forward to having him always here, but father
says the Bishop told him that Barton deserv'
ed wider field of action than this, anu that
as soon as the old gentleman is strong enough
to do duty again he means to appoint him to
church somewhere else, where he will get a
good salary, and become we'll known besides. u


"That will be an excellent thing for his
family, as well as for himself" said Ethel.


eyes, but great loss to U.S. Wei mean
the village in general, will miss him dreadful
ly when he goes"


Ethel glanced at her friend, and fancied,
from the warmth of her tone, that perhaps
there might be more special cause for her
interest in the young divine, and her regret at
his prospective departure, than she had hith'
erto supposed.


A few evenings later, as Ethel was return.
ing alone from a visit she had been paying to
a friend, Barton Elliott overlook her, and pro.
posed accompanying her the rest Of the way.


II shall be very glad of your society, and I
have no doubt the Lawtons will be delighted
to see you," she replied, thinking that he
would not be unwilling to have pretext for
visiting Mary.


~ don't know about going in at the Law
tons, I only want to talkto you" be rejoined,
and I consider myself fortunate in finding
this opportunity of doing So" - -


Ethel did not know exactly what reply to
make to this remark, so they walked on. in ST.