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When Haldane entered the cottage that evening his eyes were bloodshot and his face so haggard that Mr Growther started out of his chair, exclaih," replied the youth, with a reckless oath "The worst that I feared has happened"

"What's happened?" asked the oldin the work-roo like a pirate That's the kind of a Christian I am, and alill be What I was made for, I don't see," he added, as he threw himself into a chair

"Well, well, well!" said Mr Growther dejectedly, "I was in hopes she'd git here in time; but I'm afeered you've just clean backslid"

"No kind of doubt on that score," replied the young h I now think I never had very far to slide And yet it all see and unjust Why should s be inspired, if this was to be the end? If I was foreordained to go to the devil, why ivenBut what's the use! Co as he's in the body"

It was a silent and dismal meal, and soon over Then Haldane took his hat without a word

"Where are you goin'?" asked Mr Growther, anxiously

"I neither know nor care"

"Don't go out to-night, I expect somebody"

"Who, in the name of wonder?"

"Mrs Arnot"

"I could as easily face an angel of light now as Mrs Arnot," he replied, pausing on the threshold; for even in his reckless mood the old man's wistful face had power to restrain

"You are entle voice behind hiht I am human like yourself, and your friend"

She had approached the open door through the dusk of the , and had heard his words He trembled at her voice, but ventured no reply

"I have cobert; you will not leave me"

"Mrs Arnot," he said passionately, "I aht as well tell you at once that it is in vain"

"I do not regard what I do for you as 'trouble,' and I know it is not in vain," she replied, with calm, clear emphasis

Her manner quieted him somewhat; but after a moment he said: "You do not knohat has happened to-day, nor how I have been feeling for many days past"