luxurious coach to take a drive. He whispered a word or two to her;
the carriage was dismissed, and mother and son went up stairs to
analyze the sudden promise of fortune which had burst, like the bow of
heaven, around them. And together we will leave them--the worldly
mother and the worldly son, to grow elate, and almost wild, at the
prospect which Mr. Stillinghast's eccentric liberality had opened to
their view. At any rate, it was eligible in every respect, with, or
without a matrimonial appendage; and Cedar Hall was secured to the
Jerrolds.

Father Fabian, true to his promise, had visited old Mabel, and found
her so well disposed, and of such docile faith, that he had promised,
as soon as he finished her general confession, to give her holy
baptism. Two or three times a week he dropped in, and was much edified
by the fervor and humility with which she received his instructions.
It all seemed like a new world dawning around her, as if through the
chinks of her lowly dwelling bright visions of heaven stole in to
gladen her, while her soul in its humble love traversed back and forth
with angel messengers. May had not seen her for some days, and now
went to take her money to pay the rent of her poor cottage, and
purchase a supply of provisions. Mrs. Tabb had disposed of her fancy
knitting, and sent her son early that morning with the proceeds, some
six or seven dollars, to May. Rejoicing in the power to do good, and
leaving all her vexations and trials at home, she sought old Mabel's
lowly dwelling, to impart and receive consolation.

"That's Miss May! Here, Nellie, fetch that stool over thar for Miss
May," exclaimed the old woman, as soon as the door opened. "How is
you, honey?"

"I am quite well, Aunt Mabel. I think you are looking better," replied
May, sitting down beside her.

"Oh, honey, it's blessed times with me now. I bin blind all my life; I
never see nuffin till now. Ah, honey, that good priest you send me
aint like the buckra parsons I used to know. _He_ aint too proud to
sit down by a poor nigger, an' take her lame hand in his'n, and rub it
with some sort of liniment he fotch. And thar's a bottle of wine he
left 'cause the doctor said I must have some. _He_ don't stand off as
if he was afeard I would pizen him, and fling the gospel at me like
stingy people throws bones to dogs. He makes me _feel_ that I'm a
child of God as well as white folks, by _treating_ me like one, honey."

"I'm ve