church also was soon abandoned.

In summer-time, dressed in clothes which were gay rather than neat or
becoming, she would stroll out across the hills during afternoon service
with some like-minded female companion, and return by tea-time listless
and out of spirits, conscious of a great want, but unconscious of the
only way to satisfy it. For Kate Evans had a mind and heart which kept
her from descending into the paths of open sin. Many young women there
were around her, neglecters, like herself, of God, his house, and his
day, who had plunged into the depths of open profligacy; but with such
she had neither intercourse nor sympathy, for she shrunk instinctively
from everything that was low and coarse. Yet she walked in darkness; an
abiding shadow rested on her spirit. She had gained admiration and won
esteem, but she wanted peace. Her heart was hungry, and must needs
remain so till it should find its only true satisfying food in "Jesus,
the bread of life."

Such was Kate Evans when she had reached the age of twenty--restless,
unsatisfied, fretting under the restraints and privations of a poor
working-man's home, shrinking from earning her bread by the labour of
her hands, yet unable--for her heart would not allow her--to apply for
any school work which might remove her from the home where her services
were greatly needed by her now bed-ridden mother.

It was, then, with no small gratification, though not without some
misgivings, that she found herself the object of special attentions on
the part of William Foster. She was well aware that he was no friend to
religion, but then he was supposed to be highly moral; and she felt not
a little flattered by the devoted service of a man who was the oracle of
the working-classes on all matters of science and higher literature;
while he on his part was equally pleased with the prospect of having for
his wife one who, both in personal attractions and education, was
universally allowed to be in her rank the flower of Crossbourne.

Kate's parents, however, were very unwilling that the intimacy between
Foster and their child should lead to a regular engagement. They had
the good sense to see that he who "feared not God" was not very likely
to "regard man," nor woman either; and they were also well aware that
the public-house and the club would be pretty sure to retain a large
share of Foster's affections after marriage.

But remonstrance and advice were in vain; love was