s prolonged for a period of six
weeks. For nearly half of this time he was detained by his injuries and
the advice of the physician. Fearing hemorrhages as a result of the
injuries to his breast, Oswald finally had consented to receive medical
attendance.

Enjoying the society of this interesting invalid, Sir Donald and Esther
had assured him that he was welcome to the extended hospitality of
Northfield.

There were many delightful talks upon all sorts of subjects, profound
and otherwise. Esther often played, with exquisite skill, selections
from musical masters. At his request she sang songs of grand, refined
sentiment and of most entrancing melody.

Oswald was not at ease. Though Esther promptly responded to his
invitations to sing and play, even anticipating his wishes in
selections, seeming perfectly happy in his presence, Oswald saw that
this grand girl had thoughts and purposes in which he had no part.

The form of this barrier was shadowy, but real.

To some natures, vague, dim outlines of shapes are more potent than
those of an heroic mold.

There was in Oswald's high-strung, impulsive being, not tense, imperious
energy alone, but that craft which in emergency could plan and wait.

But how mass the forces of a masterful spirit against an evasive square?

Though perplexed by this intangible obstacle to his purposes, Oswald
continued, by varying tactics, his subtle bombardment, still floundering
in the mazes of the siege.

While impressed with her father's liberal views regarding the infinite
wideness of divine compassion toward human frailty, Esther had a most
exacting sense of personal obligation to a higher power.

It never occurred to this generous, conscientious girl that her moral
delinquencies should tax the healing properties or sensitive texture of
the "seamless robe." Her conscience was peculiarly responsive to all
religious appeals wherein duty was imperative, and her sentiments were
so generous toward human want, that the natural effect of such ethical
experiences would be a life of self-sacrifice in some line of charitable
service.

This conscientious leaning was toward practical charity. At London,
during her recent visit, Esther had listened to eloquent, stirring
appeals from a brilliant pulpit orator, upon the subjects of charity and
sacrifice. Prominence was given to local endeavor in behalf of the
helpless poor.

"Such are," said he, "exalted objects of divine solicitude. Hopeless