Do you know, my father once said, when I was quite a child, he only went to church to hear me sing."

"Now, that was not right to say to a child," observed Elizabeth. My Gracie has also a

very pretty voice of her own," she added, kissing the little one who was in her arms as she spoke.

The next morning the young widow attired Margaret with her own hands, and bade her "God speed!" as she sent her forth on her journey.

The dove-coloured silk, which had seen the inside of the little Methodist chapel many a time since that day when Elizabeth Transom first wore it there as Joshua Vandereck's bride, became Margaret wondrously well.

She looked once more like "the young lady of Darnley Chace," as the villagers used to call her when she lived with Mrs Kennedy.

She was to be at both morning and afternoon service, and to eat her dinner of oatmeal cake,

which she carried in her pocket, in one of the quiet lanes through Wrexham Downs.

"I feel," said she, as she parted from Elizabeth, "like one of those poor wretches going to be tried by red-hot ploughshares. Every pang I suffer and show will be taken as evidence of my guilt."

Elizabeth stood and waved her apron as long as she could see her.

At sunset she went to the same spot, which was some little distance from the cottage, to look out for her.

It was not long ere she saw a form of softer grey than the cliffs flitting quickly down the beach.

"Here she comes, children," said Elizabeth, setting the twins down on the stones. "Here comes our dove. Does she bring the olivebranch, I wonder?"

She ran to meet her, caught both her hands, and peered affectionately into her face.

"What cheer, mate?" said she, using one of her husband's homely phrases, in her own soft, pleasant voice.

"None, 'Lizbeth, none.”

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What! no olive-branch, my poor tired dove?" "Ah! no, 'Lizbeth; all's dry and withered where I've been, and hard and bitter. Let me come back into the ark and die.”

She took hold of Elizabeth's plump arm with both her hands, and leaned upon it wearily.

"I am heartsore and footsore, 'Lizbeth. Take me home."

tell me

"You must have some tea before you all about it," said Elizabeth, "and before I tell you my adventures; for I have had quite remarkable things happen since you went away this morning. I am longing to tell you; so pray make haste and get your tea and your story told, that I may tell mine."

When tea was over, the house shut, and the children asleep, Margaret told her story-how

faint and tired she was when she reached the church, and how the beadle seemed inclined to turn her out of her old place. How her father's, mother's, and sisters' faces were turned away from her; and how she saw their backs stiffen in righteous indignation as they heard the familiar voice. How the pew-opener and the parish clerk, the schoolmaster and schoolmistress, the grey-haired old curate and the elegant young rector glared at her as if each would like to "cast the first stone."

And, ah!" said Margaret, "there is a way, 'Lizbeth, of stoning cruelly with looks; and I have been stoned this day pitilessly; but my wounds are deeper than your kind eyes can see. But, 'Lizbeth, in the midst of all I had a great strength given me. Do you know what? I could sing as I never sang before. It was as if God had said to me, 'Speak, Margaret, as I shall direct thee; reproach them, beseech them, touch their hearts if thou canst. I will ive

thee Divine power.' I scarce knew my own voice, 'Lizbeth; I felt strange power entering into and passing from me. I saw the faces of the two lads next me in the choir turned to me as if I had dropt from the clouds. I seemed to be telling all my sin-all the injustice with which it has been regarded-all my misery and my longing. But for all that I told them this, and with more, I am certain, than my own natural power, no eye looked on me less savagely. My mother and sisters looked as rigid as before; only my father left the church; and the thinking that his heart might be moved towards me is the one gleam of comfort I have had this day."

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Come, then," said Elizabeth, wiping her eyes, as she kissed Margaret, "this is one green leaf to the ark, so let us not despair. And now for my story, which I think will surprise you not a little. Margaret, I have--do not be startled-I have seen your husband."

I