ons or motives. In
the future I will try to prove my worthiness of your love by aiding
you in all your works of mercy."

"My old friend, and of all the most respected and honored, if it were
possible your story would increase my veneration," said Mr. Archer,
grasping and pressing the judge's hand.

"I would to Heaven there were more like you. If so, the temptations
and snares which surround the path of youth would be less terrible and
frequent--in a word, our whole community a little nearer, as God would
have us be."

* * * * *

MEMORABLE THANKSGIVING DAYS.

BY FRANCES HENSHAW BADEN.

Shadow and shine is life, little Annie, flower and thorn.--TENNYSON.

"Draw near me, William; I have so much I want to say, and now I feel
too truly how rapidly I am drifting away. When I close my eyes I see
so many happy, familiar faces, just a little way above, in the clouds.
They are beckoning me away. Tell me, what day is this?"

"Thanksgiving, dear. But, pray, do not talk so. You are not going to
leave me yet, Mary. You will be, you are better," said her husband,
bending sorrowfully over her.

"Yes, I will be well, soon. I shall not see to-morrow's sun. Promise
me, my husband, to try and make our boy feel as little as possible his
loss. Be to him what I have been. He is a strange, shy child, and
reminds me much of my own childhood. You scarcely know him, you have
been so completely absorbed in your business all the time. Be with
him, have him more with you. There is no need now of your being such a
slave to business. You are prospering, you will be rich. Oh! do not
let your heart become so encased in gold as to render it inaccessible
to all higher, better feelings. In years to come another will occupy
my place, but, oh! William, do not let those new ties come between you
and your first-born. Give me your hand, and with it the pledge to make
his welfare your first thought.

"Thank you, dear! you have lifted a great weight from my heart. The
only doubt is cleared away. Here put our wedding ring on your finger!
How tight it fits. It will be a constant reminder of your pledge. Now
bring Willie to me."

She gradually faded away during the afternoon, murmuring constantly
words of love and hope, the last intelligible being, "Love each other
for my sake."

As the Thanksgiving sun went down the spirit of the gentle,
long-suffering Mary Archer joined the waiting ones above.

William Arc