prayer-meeting into consideration.

They were still talking of it when they reached the hall. Quite a
company were assembled, among them Eurie's brother, who was to meet her
there, and Col. Baker, who had come for the purpose of meeting Flossy,
much to her discomfiture. Mr. Holden and Leonard Brooks came over to the
seat which they had taken, and the former was presented to the rest of
the party.

"This is capital!" Nellis Mitchell said. "Holden, I congratulate you. I
knew Flossy would help, and possibly Miss Wilbur; but I will confess to
not even hoping for you, Miss Erskine."

"If your hopes are necessary to the completion of this scheme, I advise
you not to raise them high so far as I am concerned, for they will have
a grievous fall. I am the most indifferent of spectators." This from
Ruth, in her most formal and haughty tone. Nellis Mitchell was not one
of her favorites.

"Oh, you will help us, will you not?" Mr. Holden asked, in a tone so
familiar and friendly that Ruth flushed as she answered:

"Thank you, no."

Whereupon Mr. Holden discovered himself to be silenced.

"Never mind," Leonard Brooks said, "we have enough helpers promised to
make the thing a grand success. Eurie, let me show you the picture of
one which we have planned for you; the scenic effect is really very
fine--Oriental, you know; and you will light up splendidly in that
picture."

"Thank you," said Eurie, in an absent-minded tone: and she had to be
twice recalled from her thoughts before she turned to look at the plate
spread before her. On the instant an angry flush arose, spreading itself
over her face as she looked. "You do not mean that you are to present
this?" she said, at length.

"Why not?" asked Leonard, in astonishment. Mr. Holden hastened to
explain:

"It is not often chosen for tableaux, I admit; but on that account is
all the more desirable. We want to get away from the ordinary sort. This
is magnificent in its working up. I had it in New York last winter, and
it was one of the finest presented."

"It will not be presented with my help." Eurie's tone was so cold and
haughty that Marion turned toward her in surprise, and for the first
time glanced at the plate.

"Why, Miss Mitchell!" Mr. Holden exclaimed, "I am surprised and grieved
if I have annoyed you by my selection. I was thinking how well you would
light up an Oriental scene. Is it the representation of the Saviour that
you dislike? I cannot see why that should