ch. Every Sunday after found him an
attentive listener to the Rev. Mr. Ashton, who soon became aware of the
presence of the young gentleman so regularly, and apparently so much
interested in the services. So the good man sought an opportunity to
speak to Edgar, and urge his accepting a charge in the Sabbath school.
We can imagine Edgar needed no great urging on that subject; so,
frequently, he stood near his Annie. In the library, while selecting
books for their pupils, once or twice they had met, and he had handed to
her the volume for which her hand was raised. Of course a smile and bow
of acknowledgment and thanks rewarded him.

Edgar was growing happier, and more confident of final success every
week, when an event came which promised a speedy removal of all
difficulty in his path. The school was going to have a picnic. Then and
there he would certainly have an introduction to Annie, and after
spending a whole day with her, he would accompany her home and win the
privilege of calling often.

The day of the picnic dawned brightly, and the happy party gathered on
the deck of the steamer. The first person who met Edgar Roberts' eye was
his fellow-student, Edward Roberts. Standing beside him were two ladies
and some children. When Edgar hastened up to speak to his friend, the
ladies turned, and Edward presented:

"My wife; my sister, Miss Grey."

Edgar Roberts could scarcely suppress an exclamation of joy and
surprise. His looks fully expressed how delighted he was.

Three months had he been striving for this, which, if he had only known
it, could have been obtained so easily through his friend and her
brother. But what was so difficult to win was the more highly prized.
What a happy day it was!

Annie was all he had believed her--charming in every way. Edgar made a
confidant of his friend; told him what Edward well knew before, but was
wise enough not to explain the mistake--of his hopes and fears; and won
from the prudent brother the promise to help him all he could.

Accompanying Annie home that evening, and gaining her permission for him
to call again, Edgar lost no time in doing so, and often repeated the
call.

Perhaps Annie thought him very fast in his wooing, and precipitate in
declaring his love, when, after only a fortnight visiting her, he said:

"Annie, do you like me well enough, and trust in me sufficiently, to
allow me to ask your mother to call me her son?"

Either so happy or so surprised wa