new not. It is hard, when
feet are unwilling to climb! And unskilled in the subtleties of
controversy, most innocent of the duplicities of unbelief, Faith saw
her neighbour entangled, as it seemed, in a mesh of his own weaving and
had not power to untie the knot. It distressed her. Other knots of
skepticism or ignorance that he had presented to her she had cut easily
with the sword of truth if she could not untie; he had offered her one
to-day that she could cut indeed as easily for herself,--but not for
him. To do that called for not better wits, but for far greater
controversial acumen and logical practice than Faith knew. He did not
press his point, not even for victory; he gave the objection to her and
left it there; but while to her it was mere rottenness of reasoning,
she knew that for him it stood. It grieved her deeply; and Mrs. Derrick
saw her worn and feverish all the day, without knowing what special
reason there had been. She tried to stop Faith's working; but though
not fit for it, Faith would not be stopped. She dared not trust Mr.
Linden with any more excuses or put-offs; and a feverish cheek and hand
that day and the next went over her exercise and letter. And enjoyed
both, in spite of fever. But when they were done, late in the next day,
Faith lay down wearily on the couch and consoled herself with the
thoughts of the letter to come; it was the evening for one.

It was the evening for one and yet one came not. Other letters
came--the great leather bag was tossed out on the station-house steps,
and thence borne off to the post-office, where five minutes later
Reuben Taylor came to wait for his share of the contents. But when with
the assurance which has never yet known disappointment, Reuben applied
at the window, Mintie gave him a rather coquettish--

"No, Mr. Taylor--you're not in luck to-day,--there's nothing for you."

In his surprise Reuben tried every means to make himself and her
believe that she was mistaken; and urged a new examination of all the
letters, till Mintie made--or feigned to make--it, with the same
success.

Reuben turned away from the office in real sorrow of heart. He had not
now to learn what store was set by those letters--especially now, when
Faith was sick,--he had noticed her holding of that very last one which
had come. And then, not merely to lose the pleasure, but to have the
disappointment!--Then too, what had hindered the letter? One sometimes
came out of time, but th