ming of a passing bell.
We say amiss
This or that is;
Thy Word is all, if we could spell!"

"If we could spell!" he murmured, half aloud. "Ay, if we could learn
even a quarter of the alphabet which would help us to understand the
meaning of that 'Word!'--the Word which 'was in the beginning, and the
word was with God, and the word _was_ God!' Then we should be wise
indeed with a wisdom that would profit us,--we should have no fears and
no forebodings,--we should know that all is, all _must_ be for the
best!" And he raised his eyes to the slowly brightening sky. "Yet, after
all, the attitude of simple faith is the right one for us, if we would
call ourselves children of God--the faith which affirms--'Though He
slay me, yet will I trust in Him!'"

As he thus mused, a golden light began to spread around him,--the sun
had risen above the horizon, and its cheerful radiance sparkled on every
leaf and every blade of grass that bore a drop of dew. The morning mists
rose hoveringly, paused awhile, and then lightly rolled away, disclosing
one picture after another of exquisite sylvan beauty,--every living
thing took up anew its burden of work and pleasure for the day, and
"Now" was again declared the acceptable time. To enjoy the moment, and
to make much of the moment while it lasts, is the very keynote of
Nature's happiness, and David Helmsley found himself on this particular
morning more or less in tune with the general sentiment. Certain sad
thoughts oppressed him from time to time, but they were tempered and
well-nigh overcome by the secret pleasure he felt within himself at
having been given the means wherewith to ensure happiness for those whom
he considered were more deserving of it than himself. And he sat
patiently watching the landscape grow in glory as the sun rose higher
and higher, till presently, struck by a sudden fear lest Mary Deane
should get up earlier than usual, and missing him, should come out to
seek for him, he left the bank by the roadside, and began to trudge
slowly along in the direction of Minehead. He had not walked for a much
longer time than about ten minutes, when he heard the crunching sound of
heavy wheels behind him, and, looking back, saw a large mill waggon
piled with sacks of flour and drawn by two sturdy horses, coming
leisurely along. He waited till it drew near, and then called to the
waggoner--

"Will you give me a lift to Minehead for half