his was her decision until she saw her
mother coming down the walk to meet her. Having always told her mother
everything, Bessie did not know how it would seem to keep a secret from
her; so when they met, she forgot all about her decision and began at
once to tell her mother all that had happened.

Mrs. Worthington listened very carefully to Bessie's story and then
said: "Bessie, I am so glad you have told me all this yourself, and have
held nothing back nor blamed Nora. God will take care of the matter, and
I believe that your lesson is a lasting one. And now, my child; you can
see your great need of sanctification. Had that ugliness and
stubbornness been taken out of your heart, you would have been spared
much suffering. I trust that you will earnestly seek and obtain this
grace."

It was well that Bessie told her mother everything, for Nora did all in
her power to circulate the story and to make it as bad as possible.
Nora's mother, thinking it best to tell Mrs. Worthington about Bessie's
misbehavior, made a special call at the Worthington home for that
purpose. Bessie's mother listened to what her neighbor's story was and
then smilingly replied, "Yes, I know all about it; Bessie told me before
she reached home. I am so glad that I have the confidence of my child.
We are companions; I love her company, and she loves mine." These words
sounded strange to the visitor. She could not understand. "It seems
strange," said she, "that Bessie loves to stay at home and to be with
you so much. Doesn't she ever get lonesome? Nora is restless and tired
when she has to stay at home, and says I am too old for her."

Ah! here was the secret of the difference between the two girls. One
mother had allowed her daughter to choose her own company and had not
inquired into their plays and talks; whereas the other knew the secrets
of her child's heart and could advise and instruct her in any matter.
Between Bessie and her mother there was a tie of which Nora and her
mother knew nothing. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when
he is old he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.

CHAPTER XVII.

TEMPTATIONS.

At Christmas time Bessie received the following letter from one of her
friends:

Dear Bessie:

I have long wondered what to send you as a Christmas gift,
and it seemed a hard problem to solve. I fear you will
wonder at what I am sending; but, knowing that you are
nearly thirteen year