s mother alone!" exclaimed Mrs. Fairbanks indignantly.

"She is not to be alone," said Brown, making there and then a sudden
resolve. "By the greatest of luck for me I am turned out of my
quarters, and she is to take me in, and while I can't fill Shock's
place, still I am somebody," added Brown, fervently hoping the old lady
would not refuse him shelter.

"I am not sure that a man is ever called to leave his mother to the
care of strangers," said Lloyd, who, after long indecision and much
consultation with various friends, had determined that his particular
gifts and training fitted him for Park Church.

"Oh! blank it all!" said Brown to Helen, "I can't stand that rot!"

"I beg your pardon," said Mrs. Fairbanks, looking haughtily at Brown
through her glasses.

"I was about to say," replied Brown, in the sweetest of tones, "that if
these two who are most interested, and who are extremely sane and
reasonable persons, have come to an agreement upon a question, I'd bank
on that decision as being about the thing." At which Helen gave his arm
a quick squeeze.

"Well, mother," said Betty, "I think he's fine, and I never admired him
so much as now. You know he may never see her again, and she has the
whole of his heart."

"Not quite, I guess," said Brown in a low tone to Helen, who, blushing
vividly, replied in like tone, "You seem to be remarkably well
informed."

"I know," said Brown confidently. "But he is a mine of blind stupidity!
If some one would dig him up, explore him--blast him, in short!
Confound him!"

But when the Superintendent learned of all that Shock's decision
involved, he made a point to insert among his multitudinous engagements
a visit to the Macgregor cottage.

"It was a great scene, I assure you," said Brown, who was describing it
afterwards to the young ladies.

"Those two old Spartans, all ice and granite outside, all molten lava
within, stood up looking at each other a minute or two without the
quiver of an eyelid and then the old chief burred out:"

"'You are to be congratulated upon your son, Mrs. Macgregor.'"

"'Ay,' said she in a matter of fact tone, 'he will be doing his duty, I
warrant.'"

"'And, believe me, your mutual sacrifice has not been unnoticed.'"

"'It is not great beside His own, but it iss all we could. It iss our
life.'"

"The old chap bowed like a prince and then his voice burred like a buzz
saw as he answered, 'Remember I did not ask you for him!'"

"'No, it w