t.
"Very well, very well," he returned, with extra brusqueness, picking up
his newspaper. "I guess there won't be anything to prevent my going
to that meeting with you Wednesday evening, Jewel. Just once, you
understand, once only."

At this moment the brougham drove around to the steps, and Eloise came
out upon the piazza. She was a vision of dainty purity in her white
gown, white hat, and gloves.

Mr. Evringham rose, lifted his hat, and going down the steps opened
the door of the carriage. "A man need not be ashamed to have these two
ladies represent him at church," he said, looking into Eloise's calm
eyes.

She smiled back at him. There was no suspicion now of sarcasm or stings.
The air she breathed was wholesome and inviting. The lump had been
leavened.

Arrived at the hall where the services were held, the girls were ushered
into good seats before the room rapidly filled.

They saw Mr. Reeves and his family and Mr. Bonnell come in on the other
side, and the latter did not rest until he had found them and sent over
a bright, quick nod.

The platform was beautiful by a tall vase of roses at the side of the
white reading-desk, and Eloise listened eagerly to the voices of the
man and woman who alternately read the morning lesson. The peace,
simplicity, and quiet of the service enthralled her. She looked over the
crowd of listening, reverent faces with wistful wonder. Nat was among
them, _Nat_! Sometimes she glanced across at his attentive face. Nat at
church, in the morning; thoroughly interested! She pinched her arm to
make quite certain.

Once when they rose to sing, it was the hymn she had heard. The voices
swelled:--

"O'er waiting harpstrings of the mind
There sweeps a strain,
Low, sad, and sweet, whose measures bind
The power of pain."

The girl in the white dress did not sing. She swallowed often. The voice
of the child at her side soared easily.

"And o'er earth's troubled, angry sea,
I see Christ walk;
And come to me, and tenderly,
Divinely, talk."

What a haven of promise and peace seemed this sunny, simple place of
purity.

"From tired joy and grief afar,
And nearer Thee,
Father, where Thine own children are
I love to be."

Jewel, looking up at her companion, was surprised to see her lashes wet
and her lower lip caught between her teeth.

"What's the matter, cousin Eloise?" she whispered softly as they sat
down.

The girl