eturn," said Chester, significantly.

"You impudent fellow! This is the return you make me, is it, for fitting
you out for school, and working my fingers to the bone to keep you
there? We'll see----"

"Hush, mother! do!"

With a black frown, Chester strode across the room, having warned his
mother of the clergyman's approach. With great difficulty she held her
peace, as Father Brighthopes entered.

The advent of the old man's serene countenance was like a burst of
sunshine through a storm. Without appearing to remark the darkness of
Mrs. Royden's features, he took up the baby, and began to toss it in his
arms and talk to it, to still its cries. The little creature was quieted
at once.

"It is singular," said the clergyman, "I never yet found a child that
was afraid of me. How I love their pure, innocent looks!"

Already ashamed of her ill-temper, Mrs. Royden hastened to take the babe
from his arms; but he insisted on holding it. Georgie meanwhile had
stopped crying, and Sarah came down from the chamber. To the latter
Father Brighthopes finally relinquished the charge, and, taking his hat
and cane left the house with Chester.

James brought out the horse, and helped his father put him into the
wagon-thills.

"Where are you folks going?" asked Sam, hobbling along on the grass,
with his foot in the air.

"Over to the village," replied James.

Sam's heart sank within him; and it was with sickening apprehensions of
calamity that he saw Mr. Royden ride off with Chester and the old
clergyman. They could not go far, he was sure, without discovering the
entire mystery of his lame leg; and the consequences seemed too dreadful
to contemplate.

VIII.

COUNTRY SCENES.

It was a beautiful balmy morning in June; the whole earth rejoiced in
the soft sunshine and sweet breezes; and around the sumachs and
crab-apple trees, by the road-side fences, where the dew was still cool
on the green leaves, there were glad birds singing joyously, as the
wheels went humming through the sand.

No careless child could have enjoyed the ride more than the good Father
Brighthopes did. It was delightful to hear him talk of the religion to
be drawn from fresh meadows, running brooks, the deep solitude of woods,
and majestic mountains crags.

"And to think that the good God made all for us to enjoy!" he said, with
his clear blue orbs tremulous with tears.

"You give me new ideas of religion," replied Mr. Royden. "It always
see