he sun shining in its strength. Great, wonderful! and
yet they do not realise it. But they shall know, and understand."

Along the other lines he also ran his finger, pausing at the end of
each where was marked "Town," "Village," or "Settlement." He talked
continually as he did so, but it was all about "glory" and "power."
Over and over again he repeated these words, now in a soft low voice,
and again in a loud triumphant manner.

At length he rose from the bench, crossed the room, opened the door,
and stepped outside. Not a star was to be seen, and the wind was
stronger than ever. It was keen, piercing. But the man heeded neither
the one nor the other. He was listening intently, and the faint sound
of Break Neck Falls drifting in from the distance was to him the
sweetest of music.

And as he stood there a sudden change took place. His dead drooped,
and he leaned against the side of the building for support. A shiver
shook his body, and as he turned and entered the house his steps were
slow, and he half-stumbled across the threshold. He looked at the
wood-box behind the stove, but there was not a stick in it. He next
opened the door of the little cupboard near by, but not a scrap of food
was there. Almost mechanically he thrust his hand into his pocket and
brought forth a purse. This he opened, but there was nothing inside.
Half-dazed he stood there in the centre of the room. Then he glanced
toward the paper with the drawings lying upon the table, and as he did
so a peculiar light of comprehension shone in his eyes.

CHAPTER II

TO THE LOWEST BIDDER

There was an unusually large number of people gathered in front of
Thomas Marshall's store one morning about the last of May. Women were
there as well as men, and all were talking and laughing in a most
pleasant way. The cause of this excitement was explained by a notice
tacked on the store door.

"The Board, Lodging, and Clothing of David Findley, Pauper, will be let
to the lowest bidder for a period of one year, on Wednesday, May 30th
inst., at Thomas Marshall's store, Chutes Corner, at 10 o'clock A. M.

"Signed

"J. B. FLETCHER
T. S. TITUS
O. R. MITCHELL
_Overseers of Poor_."

This notice had been posted there for about two weeks, and had
attracted the attention of all the people in the parish. It was out of
the ordinary for such a sale to take place at this season of the year.
Hitherto, it had occurred at the last o