engaged in a somewhat trenchant dispute as to the nature of the great teacher's real mission. Peter was very impulsive. His speech betrayed this almost as soon as he entered into conversation. John and James had, more than once, occasion to smile at the gentle reprimand the other disciple received from his master for some over zealous or extravagant statement. These personal followers of Christ had often witnessed such occurrences, and although they gave Peter a large share of deference, according to the wish of their

common master, yet they did not forego

some innocent raillery at his expense when he received correction. From his looks, and whole manner, no one could entertain a doubt that Peter's whole heart and love were given to the wonder worker.

When the repast was ended the guests retired to the roof of the house. Lazarus was anxious to learn how Jesus would regard Mary. He had watched his sister closely during the repast. Seeing her uneasiness, he had resolved to tell Jesus her pitiful story, yet he argued with himself that as the prophet was divine he must know all things and the relation of the facts would therefore be unnecessary.

Once he had seen Jesus cast a marvelous look upon Mary, who was sitting at a table some distance from him. Lazarus saw that she caught the glance, blushed deeply and dropped her eyes to the dish before her. He noted that she trembled from head to foot beneath that gaze.

Mary had not expiated her fault in the eyes of Jesus. Even her brother's guests treated her coldly, or with neglect. The kind-hearted Miriam was the only one who talked at all with her during the meal. For the greater part of the time she spent at the table she was silent and unnoticed.

When the guests arose to ascend to the roof she remained behind. Her

brother preceded the company, leaving Martha to attend those who followed. He had taken the three disciples with him, leaving the better acquainted guests to come next, expecting that Martha would wait upon and accompany Jesus. She had, however, gone with Joseph and Nicodemus, not understanding her brother's design.

Jesus was left alone in the open court with Mary.

The numerous lamps on and around the banquet tables were still burning

brightly. Mary looked up from the rev

ery into which she had fallen, and saw that she and Jesus were alone. Timidly, wistfully she looked at the great teacher. "Mary!"

The sound of the penetrating, yet melodious, voice sent her blood coursing through her veins. It showed sympathy, power, mercy, love in its tones. As one in a trance, scarcely realizing what she was doing, or where she was going, yet impelled by an influence she could not resist, she arose from the table. She cast one longing, hungering, look into that face, her pleading eyes calling for mercy and forgiveness, asking, as only human eyes can ask, not to be condemned, not to be left to herself, not to be cast adrift again on the perilous voyage on life's ocean. At that moment she saw all the horror of her sin, loathing it with an intensity that was overwhelming. Jesus did not speak as she came nearer to him. He looked on her with eyes of gentle compassion and mercy. Mary saw only the glance of those eyes and yet she knew the lips were parted to grant a sweet and condescending pardon.

Her heart, sore and buffeted, beat with love and repentance. She believed in this one before her. She knew now in her inmost soul that he was God. She fell prostrate before him, speaking no word. He will know and understand all her story.

There on the ground she wept healing tears of contrition, her sobs shaking her frame. And as her tears flowed in relieving streams, her heart was changed. A sweet and gentle peace stole softly into it. She knew he had not repulsed her, and oh! the joy of that knowledge! The bruised reed had not been broken. He knew and yet he forgave! That was enough for her. Henceforth her life shall be one long immolation. Her sorrow shall blot out the past. Lying on the ground before him she awaited that word which shall give forever peace to her storm-tossed soul. At last, in him she has found one on whom she could pour out all the abundant wealth of her affectionate nature-a nature now purified by contrition, and to be strengthened by heroic resolve.

"Mary!"

"Speak, my Lord and master."

"Thy sins are forgiven thee because thou lovest much."

She felt the effect of the divine words. It was as if a great, heavy load, which had for so long been bearing her down to earth had been lifted and borne away. Joy, serene and ineffable, filled her soul. Amid a rain of happy tears, she arose to her knees and seized the hand of her Lord bedewing it with the evidences of love's gratitude. All her doubts and fears were gone. Peace, calm and holy, reigned in her soul. Its effect showed itself upon her now beaming countenance, although her lashes were still wet with her tears.

At the moment of Mary's rapturous exultation, while she yet clung to the hand of him who had pardoned her, her brother hastily returned to the court. He had perceived that the principal guest was not upon the roof, and was fearful lest there should appear a lack of courteousness. He saw at a glance the transformation which had been wrought in his sister. Speechless with astonishment and gratitude, he stood with out

stretched hands. At length regaining the power of speech, he said:

"Lord, thou knowest all?"

"Yea, and her love hath wrought her pardon."

Jesus and Lazarus advanced towardsthe stairway, the latter slightly in advance, and leading the way. When they had ascended one or two steps, Jesus turned and, pointing to Mary, said to Lazarus :

"Cherish thy sister, friend, for she loveth me much."

Mary stood as one in an ecstasy. A flood of love and light inundated her soul. Her face was slightly raised. Her fingers were interlocked and held beneath her chin. Her arms were raised. The light of the moon shone upon her beautiful features, its rays making diamonds of the remaining happy tears yet upon her lashes, and glinting in her loosely flowing hair.

She stood there, her heart almost bursting with new emotions, the great penitent of love for all future ages, or the threshold of a career that has been the wonder of mankind.

The people of Bethany were kindly disposed towards the great prophet.. Simon the Leper, a neighbor of Lazarus, also invited Christ to a supper at his own house. Lazarus and the three apostles went with their master. No one but her brother as yet knew of Mary's forgiveness, and all the rest of the guests in the house of Lazarus continued to treat her with coldness an 1 to keep aloof from her.

Joy now filled her heart and the peace of heaven was within her soul. She cared no longer for cold looks or the sneers of others. Her one anxiety now was to do some honor to the divine prophet who had dealt so mercifully with her.

During the progress of the banquet in Simon's house she quietly entered the dining hall and stood behind the couch where Christ was reclining. Her soul

C

HARLESTON is regarded with affectionate pride by all South Carolinians. It is to South Carolina what Boston is to Massachusetts, or what San Francisco is to California. The quaint old city, which was founded in 1680, appeals to strangers as well as to Carolinians, and numerous places of interest in and near it have made it a favorite stopping place for tourists.

After an April rain a walk or drive through the city shows the yards at the height of their beauty-the trees in leaf, the trunks and branches of overarching elms black, as they always are at that season; the grass not yet withered, climbing roses and lavender wisteria in profusion, and here and there large stars of pansies.

In

The great scarcity of grass, its almost total absence in some towns in South Carolina, mars the landscape. Charleston its absence is not so noticeable, because either the houses or the walls are built up from the sidewalks; but elsewhere in the State, where the sandy clay soil serves for sidewalks, and few of the streets are paved, the lack of grass gives a city a very unkempt appearance.

Yards in which there is no grass are swept from time to time. They are laid out with walks and flower beds bordered with bricks, or thick clusters of violets, which blossom out of doors all winter. The streets are mostly narrow and so the sidewalks. Some of the brick walks are only two feet wide, others three, and are evidently very old, they are so uneven.

That there is little or no immigration is attested by the absence from the

long, especially if there are servants' quarters adjoining in the rear, and are built to have as much piazza space as possible. A favorite style of architecture is a narrow gable, the width of one room, facing the street and three piazzas or galleries, one above another, extending the length of the house from front to back. A door opens into the lowest of these. Visitors stand on the sidewalk to ring. Sometimes there are four galleries. Columns are used extensively. On the oldest houses are fluted terra cotta tile roofs.

Charleston is the only city in this country in which wards are walled in. The early builders of New Orleans erected walls about the grounds of their residences, but the Faubourg builders abandoned a system that made so much for privacy. In Charleston the absence of a wall is marked by a high board fence instead. The walls are of brick or stucco and are too high to allow a glimpse of what is within. Of late years tall iron pickets have come into favor. Callers ring at the gate and are left standing on the sidewalk while their cards are taken in.

Everywhere in New Orleans and Charleston on business blocks, around