ome to speak of what I must consider the most perfect method
on which a friendship can be formed. I mean the elective friendship
which depends on no accident of association or neighbourhood, and is, to
my mind, the most satisfying of all.

We cannot say what drew us to our friend. We met her for a few days at a
country house, or were introduced to her casually at a dinner-party.
Nothing in ordinary circumstances would have been more likely than to
part and meet no more. But we did not part; something had united us--we
felt we must see more of each other.

This attracting something lends a strange charm to friendship, and,
whether the two are alike or unlike, it matters little--they are sure to
be helpers and sympathisers, because, it seems to me, and I say it with
all reverence, this something which we cannot define is a God-given bond
of union. The two are meant to be friends--meant to act beneficially
upon each other; and, perhaps, because they cannot understand it or
reason over it, the tie proves stronger than they or anyone can break.

They may be thrown together in any of the ways I have suggested, but
with a difference; then neighbourhood, association, was the primary
element in the formation of the friendship; now it is secondary to the
elective attraction. Both feel that their souls would have come together
in whatever circumstances they had met.

I cannot think these elective friendships ever really cease, though a
quarrel, a misunderstanding may break them seemingly for ever. There is
a spiritual _oneness_ which refuses to divide.

In conclusion, let me add one word about the bond of union which the
love of Christ makes. If that is in any friendship you need not fear its
dissolution. If few girls begin their youthful friendships with such a
tie, can they not, will they not strengthen their union with it when
they see how it can bless and sanctify such union with friendship the
most perfect we can know on earth?

(_To be continued._)

THE SHEPHERD'S FAIRY.

A PASTORALE.

BY DARLEY DALE, Author of "Fair Katherine," etc.

CHAPTER VI.

JACK'S SMOCK FROCK.

Twelve years had elapsed since the shepherd first found the little baby
on his door-step when, one afternoon in July, Mrs. Shelley was sitting
working hard at some coarse-looking needlework, on a bench just outside
the house. By her side stood her two younger sons, Charlie and Willie,
both of them golden-haired, red-cheeked, chubby urchin