"Well," said Mr. Johnson," that was energetic,

certainly. I like energy. You don't mean, I suppose, to walk back to-night? I will give you a note to one of my men in the town, and you can sleep there, if you like, and come to me again to-morrow morning, at my shop."

Frank thanked him, and returned to Beverton; where, notwithstanding his eagerness to know what the morrow might bring forth, he slept soundly, wearied with the fatigues of his day's work.

Early the next morning Frank was up, and, punctually at the hour named, awaited Mr. Johnson's summons to speak with him. Great was his surprise-still greater was his delight—when he found that Mr. Johnson was willing to engage him at once, and upon the most liberal terms.

"He wanted a young man," he said, "who would devote himself to the business. His own health had not been good of late, and did not allow of his living at his shop, as he had done in former years, and he was anxious to find some one in whom he could rely so implicitly, that he might entrust the place to his care whenever he wished, and spend as much time as he liked at his house in the country. Frank's testimonials were so very good, that he would at once have entered into a still better agreement with him than he was now doing, if he

had only known the business. It would take him some little time to learn it thoroughly; but, if he gave his mind to it, he need not be very long doing So."

Mr. Johnson added, that he was much pleased with all he saw, as well as all he heard of Frank, and that he hoped, on further acquaintance, his favourable impressions would only be increased and strengthened.

Frank was delighted, and, with a thankful heart, promised to be quite ready in a week to enter upon his new business, and returned to Fairlegh.

"When we are not where we would be,
And dearest friends are set afar,

The thought that 'tis Thy ruling will-
The thought that Thou art with us still,
Nearer than ear or eye can know-
Art with us still in life or death,

In blooming life or failing breath—
'Tis all of Heaven we need below."

Thoughts in Past Years.

THE last week at Fairlegh! It was a very busy one; and it was a good thing for Frank that it should be so, for many feelings were striving for mastery in his heart, which he knew he must not indulge. He longed eagerly to speak to Ruth on the subject which was ever in his mind; to carry away with him the hope that he might one day return to see his fondest wishes realised. But he felt he must not do so. Even if his future prospects had been more certain than they were, he was still far too young to hope that these wishes, if expressed,

would be listened to now. Her father would not give his consent. He would, most probably, forbid Ruth's having anything to say to him, and so crush his hopes for ever. He must leave Ruth without a word which should tell of his deep affection for her, the affection which had grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength. All he could do now was to trust, and then to go forth resolutely to do his duty, in the new station to which it had pleased God to call him. His feelings must all be kept to himself, until he might be able to speak of them without fear of causing trouble to Ruth, or leading either her or himself to do what was wrong. He had some hope that Ruth might not herself refuse him. She was always so kind to him, so gentle and pleasant, so ready to accept any little act of kindness, and to return it. And they had so many tastes so many pursuits and feelings in

common.

Frank felt, when he thought of Ruth, that he could go with courage, and ask her to let him think of her, love her, work for her, in the hope of one day being allowed to claim her as his wife. But he knew—Mr. Eggar had told him so many times -that her father would not consent to the marriage. Without her father's consent, how could he expect God's blessing upon it? Without God's blessing, how could they expect happiness in it?

Frank resolved that he would work and waittoil and trust-pray and persevere; and as before, so now again, commit his way unto Him who could bring it to pass.

And with this resolve strong in his heart, he walked bravely up to the Lodge, to wish Mr. Chester and Ruth good-by. Mr. Chester was out. Ruth was at home. They spoke of many things,— of the garden, and the flowers, and some books which Frank had lent her, and which she had been reading with great pleasure; for, like himself, Ruth delighted in books. And especially they talked of the poor people. Frank "hoped he might be able to come over to Fairlegh now and then, to see how all his friends were getting on. Meanwhile he certainly should not forget any of them, and he hoped they would not forget him. He asked, if he sent old Dame Burnes, or his little favourite, Johnnie Stone, a token of remembrance every now and then, whether Ruth would take it to them for him. He could not ask Mrs. Eggar to carry it to the Common-it was too long a walk for her."

Ruth readily promised to do so. She also promised to do her best to keep up Mrs. Eggar's lately aroused interest in the poor. It seemed now quite a pleasure to her to do anything for them; and though between her own father's wil