ars dropped in secret,
and the terrible sinking of heart with which she viewed her future.

Clare went over to see Miss Villars in the afternoon, and after a long
talk obtained the post she coveted.

'You know,' she confided to her friend, 'since I have felt so
differently about things, I have been longing to do some work for God.
It is very pleasant living at home, but it is an idle life, isn't it?
With Miss Miller's energy, and Agatha aiding her in all the village
work, there is nothing left for me, and I long if I can to influence
others for good.'

'I am so thankful to hear you say so, and doubly thankful to think of
you being in a position to influence others of your own class. The
young people at the convalescent home will be so much more likely to
confide in you, and be impressed by what you say, from the very fact of
your being young yourself, and not beyond all the innocent pleasures of
youth.'

'But,' said Clare depreciatingly, 'I am such a beginner; that is the
one thing frightens me--my want of experience. And I am still very
moody, Miss Villars. Don't smile; I do think at the bottom of my heart
my restlessness and discontent is gone; but some days everything seems
black, and I wonder if I am a real Christian after all. I wish I had
your feelings.'

'Oh, these feelings!' said Miss Villars, with a little laugh. 'You
will be better, my dear child, when your life is more filled up, and
you have so much of others' troubles and pleasures to think of, that
you will have no time for your own.'

So Clare came back with her future settled, and the sisters were very
busy for the next few weeks making preparation for the two departing
ones. Alick and his cousin were in and out, and the former seemed to
get doubly depressed when he heard that Elfie was going away. Yet up
to the last his tongue seemed tied, and it was not until she was
actually in the railway carriage that he said a word. He had insisted
upon seeing her off, and Agatha, fussing over the luggage, was not
aware that anything passed between them.

Holding Elfie's hand tightly in his own, he said huskily and with
emphasis:--

'You won't forget me? I shall see you again; and meanwhile, believe I
mean it!'

That was all that was said, but the two understood each other, and
Elfie leant back in her seat, as the train steamed out of the station,
with joy throbbing through her heart.

'I shall not be at Cousin James' long, I am sure,' she re