? I could
never forget them. And I was troubled for long afterwards. But I see
it all so differently now; salvation is not to be earned, as you said
to me, but to be received. And I think when one receives salvation,
one receives the Giver with it. I know I have found it so--it does
indeed make life different.'

'Oh, Miss Graham, I am so glad!' I said, and, unable to check myself, I
burst into tears. I think I was overwrought, and this coming on the
top of my other trouble, proved too much for me.

'How long have you--have you known this?' I asked, and in the fulness
of my heart I leant over and kissed her.

'I don't know,' she said with a smile; 'I have been seeking for it on
my knees and with my Bible night after night. Sometimes I fancied I
had the assurance of it, and then it seemed to leave me. I think when
you were at Miss Rayner's I seemed to doubt less and trust more. And
now I don't think I have a doubt at all. I am staking my assurance on
verses like John vi. 37. It was seeing you live your life here that
showed me you must have the real thing, and made me long to have it
too.'

She left me soon after, and I sat on by my fire with silent thanks in
my heart for this news. God had indeed been good to me, and I felt
especially grateful that I had been sent such comfort and cheer after a
rather trying evening.

CHAPTER XIII

TAKEN HOME

'But I like to think of him passing,
Like a clear early star,
Into that quiet region . . .
I like to think of his little feet
Climbing the heavenly stair,
Of his eyes in their wondering meekness
Waking to glory there.'

The next morning I was out in the garden picking a few late
chrysanthemums, when Mr. Stanton passed by me. He stopped for a moment.

'What answer have you given about the tableaux?' he asked, with a smile.

'I have declined to play,' I said. 'I told Miss Willoughby so
yesterday evening before dinner.'

He looked away thoughtfully into the distance, and then said quietly,
'That accounted for her vexation last night. I wondered why she was so
bitter. Poor girl! one feels sorry for a life like that.' Then
looking at me rather intently, he asked, 'Is the violin consecrated to
God, Miss Thorn?'

'I don't know,' I stammered; 'I hope so, but I don't keep it for sacred
music only. I play to them when they want me to. Is that wrong?
Surely not! And I love it so myself; it seems to raise my thoughts
heavenwards. D