p it. You are a good
accountant?"

"I am."

"This morning my book-keeper notified me of his intention to leave as
soon as I could supply his place. If you will take the situation at
seven hundred and fifty dollars a year, it is open for you."

"John Wilkinson!" exclaimed Ellis, seizing the hand of his friend, and
exhibiting much agitation. "Are you indeed in earnest?"

"I never was more so in my life," was replied.

"Then, indeed the day has broken!" said Ellis, with emotion. "When will
you want me to begin?" he asked after a short period of silence.

"Now," replied Wilkinson.

"Now, did you say?"

"Yes. I have work that needs attention at once. When will you come?"

"A good beginning never can be made too early. Now."

Wilkinson turned, and the two men walked back to a vacant desk. A
number of accounts and letters lay thereon, and, as Wilkinson began to
enter into some explanation in regard to them, Ellis took up a pen and
laid the point of it on a sheet of paper. The nervous tremor of his
hand showed him to be in no condition for the task upon which he was
about entering. Wilkinson comprehended this in a moment, and a fear
lest the drunkard's delirium should follow so sudden a withdrawal of
stimulant from the system of Ellis, sent a chill through his feelings.
Instead of putting him to the desk at once, he determined, on the
instant, to employ him at more active work about the store for a few
weeks, until, if he kept to his good resolution, some degree of
firmness was restored to his shattered nerves. In agreement with this
humane purpose he acted.

With what trembling anxiety did Mrs. Ellis await the return of her
husband at dinner-time! The hours wore slowly away, and, at last, her
watchful ear caught the sound of his footsteps. She scarcely breathed
until the door opened. One glance sufficed. All was well. How glad was
the impulse with which her stilled heart went on again! Tears of joy
bedewed her face, when he related the good fortune that had attended
his call on Wilkinson.

"Yes, yes," said he, when he had told her all, and glancing around the
room as he spoke. "This desert place shall blossom as the rose. I have
said it, and I will keep my word."

In the evening, Henry and his father met, for the first time, face to
face, since they parted in anger on one side and grief on the other.
When Kate came home with the latter on the night previous, Henry had
managed to enter the house before them, an