try or the sea-side, I
should be better. I am sure I wish to do what is right. It is not that
I don't wish to go home."

Christie's voice suddenly failed her.

"It seems like a punishment to me," she added, "a judgment, almost. You
don't know--Effie dinna ken even--how many wrong feelings I had about
coming away. I thought nothing could be so bad as to have to depend on
Aunt Elsie, and now--" Something very like a sob stopped her utterance.

"Whisht, Christie!" said John. "God does not send trouble on His people
merely to punish; it is to do them good. You must take a more
comforting view of this trouble. I am afraid the pleasure of the day is
spoiled."

"No! oh, no!" said Christie eagerly. "Nobody could do that. There are
some pleasures that canna be spoiled. And besides, I am not going to
vex myself. It will all come right in the end, I am quite sure. Only
just at first--"

"Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee,
because he trusteth in Thee," whispered John.

"I know it;" and that was all she could say.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

SISTERS IN CHRIST.

Christie found, on reaching home, that Mr Lee had returned, and when
John called in the morning she was able to tell him it was decided that
the family should go to the sea-side for a month.

"And considering all things, John, I am glad that Mrs Lee wants me to
go too. I shall have time for a long visit at home when I come back
again, before summer is over. The sea air will make me strong. You
know we lived near the sea at home. And I should like to take a pair of
red cheeks home to Glengarry."

John was not altogether satisfied with her cheerful words; but there
seemed nothing better for any of them but to make the best of it.

"It might be far worse for you, my lassie," he said, cheerfully. "I
would have liked to take you home with me to Glengarry, for your sake
and theirs. But if you'll promise not to let the look come back that I
saw first in your face, I'll leave you with a good heart, and tell no
sad tales to Effie and the rest."

It was all that she could do, even now, to keep a bright face, but she
did; and John went away, taking with him the remembrance of it at its
very brightest.

The next few days were too busy to give time for regretful thoughts.
The children came home, and there was the making of their dresses, and
all the necessary preparations for a journey and a lengthened absence
from home.

Ch