ven to her father's remarks. This night he found
David out, and he hesitated whether to trouble Christine or not. He
stood for a moment in the open door and looked at her. She was sitting
by the table with a little Testament open in her hand; but she was
rather musing on what she had been reading than continuing her
occupation.

"Christine!"

"James!"

"May I come in?"

"Yes, surely."

"I hear your father has gone to a town-meeting."

"Yes."

"And he is to be made a bailie."

"Yes."

"I am very glad. It will greatly please him, and there is no citizen
more worthy of the honor."

"I think so also."

"Shall I disturb you if I wait to see him?"

"No, James; sit down."

Then Christine laid aside her book and took her sewing, and James sat
thinking how he could best introduce the subject ever near his heart.
He felt that there was much to say in his own behalf, if he only knew
how to begin. Christine opened the subject for him. She laid down her
work and went and stood before the fire at his side. The faintest
shadow of color was in her face, and her eyes were unspeakably sad and
anxious. He could not bear their eager, searching gaze, and dropped
his own.

"James, have you destroyed yonder paper?"

"Nay, Christine; I am too poor a man to throw away so much hard-won
gold. I am keeping it until I can see Mr. McFarlane and quietly
collect my own."

"You will never use it in any way against him?"

"Will you ever marry him? Tell me that."

"O sir!" she cried indignantly, "you want to make a bargain with my
poor heart. Hear, then. If Donald wants me to marry him I'll never
cast him off. Do you think God will cast him off for one fault? You
dare not say it."

"I do not say but what God will pardon. But we are human beings; we
are not near to God yet."

"But we ought to be trying to get near him; and oh, James, you never
had so grand a chance. See the pitiful face of Christ looking down on
you from the cross. If that face should turn away from you, James--if
it should!"

"You ask a hard thing of me, Christine."

"Yes, I do."

"But if you will only try and love me--"

"Stop, James! I will make no bargain in a matter of right and wrong.
If for Christ's sake, who has forgiven you so much, you can forgive
Donald, for Christ's dear sake do it. If not, I will set no earthly
love before it. Do your worst. God can find out a way. I'll trust
him."

"Christine! dear Christine!"

"Hush! I am Donald's pr