n to make
ready for her work.' Mary, dear, it is wonderful to have been chosen
by the King of England and to have been marked for use with his
initials, but it is more wonderful to have been chosen by a greater
king and marked with his name. Perhaps you can guess what the mark I
see on you might be--It is C. L. Write and tell me all about the
conference, won't you?

"Lovingly your friend,

"Margaret Lane."

'Twas a very thoughtful girl who went down the street. In one hand a long
letter and in the other a closely written card. The one said, "Come and
have a real jolly, good time." The other said, "Get ready for service."
Which should it be?

As she sat in the hammock thinking of her good friend in Maine, there came
again to her mind the last night Mrs. Lane had been with them. They had
been talking over plans for the summer and Mrs. Lane had quietly said, "I
like to think that a good time is one which you carry with you and which
means more to you as the weeks go by than it did when you were enjoying
it." Which good time would she carry with her longer? Which would make of
her the finer girl? Which did she want most to carry with her? And as she
thought, the way became clearer.

Finally she went to her room and returned in a few minutes with a writing
case and pen.

"Dear George," she began. "Weren't you good to ask me to go with the
family to the camp! I can't think of any camp where I would enjoy
myself more and I surely appreciate the invitation. But I can't
accept it this time for that is the time set for the conference to
which I am really going this year. Our church has made it possible
for me to go, and I know it will do much in getting me ready to be of
help to those who have helped me so much. I shall have so much more
to give when I have studied for the two weeks with those who know,
and have given their lives to the service of others. 'Tis an
opportunity that I couldn't miss--not even for two weeks with you
all. Thank you just the same."

Mary read the letter, then as she sealed it, she said with a smile,
"Marked for a mast! Marked for a mast! Surely I mustn't bend or break if I
can be a mast some day and carry a king's colors. C. L.?... C. L.?... Ah,
I have it. 'Tis the word that Mrs. Lane uses so often--a Christian
Leader! 'Tis wonderful to have her think I have been chosen