ceased to be so-to an almost equal silence,-"Shake hands, and let us be friends. You were the truest one I ever had, for you showed me myself as I was. I retract all that I said about Arthur; I didn't mean it then. The words just came to me, and I said them. I am going back to college. to-morrow-not a day later-if I am spared, to apologize to Mr. Duncan and make to the faculty the necessary professions of an intention to reform. And, May, you and Fay and the doctor are my witnesses that, as soon as ever it comes into my possession, I will restore to those who have been illegally deprived of it that which is their own, even though it leave me poorer than the tramp who cannot tell where he may get his next food or shelter. And this unalterable resolve I shall make known to General Chandler and my mother before I sleep."

"And your promise to me, Perry?" said Fay timidly, as May, regardless of proprieties, rejected his proffered hand to throw her arms about his neck and give him a gigantic hug and a resounding kiss.

"My promise to you, Fay, I repeat-never again, so help me God! to touch, taste, or handle that which has wellnigh been my destruction.-And the destruction of one who risked her life for mine," he added in a lower tone, that none caught save she for whom it was intended.

"It must be a miracle," said May, thinking over his words when he had gone, and yet only half believing that she had heard them aright.

Yes, it was a miracle. No wondrous light like that which prostrated Saul on his way to Damascus burst upon him from the sky; no angel, as he who stayed the progress of Balaam, stood visibly in his path on the trestle-bridge; but the "still small voice" became the clarion note of trumpet in that brief interval when, face to face with eternity, he realized the true meaning and the value of time;

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and henceforth, on every link of the prolonged span, on every attribute of body, mind, and spirit, on every calling in which he might engage, on all that he had, or was, or might be, should be written (so in all humility he promised), "Holiness to the Lord!"

CHAPTER XXII.

UNDER THE APPLE-BLOOMS.

HE leaves in the orchard grew brown, withered, and

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fell; winter draped the gaunt, naked branches and rugged old trunks in ermine and wreathed them with glittering pendants; then spring came with its "mantle of green," and again the apple trees put forth their tender shoots and bent beneath their weight of ivory and coral.

In the cottage, almost hidden by the swaying blossoms, few changes had marked the lapse of the seasons, but those few were important ones, and all for the better. An addition had been made at the side of the house, and a tiny greenhouse at the back. There was a new carpet on the dining-room, and the black haircloth furniture in the living-room had been re-upholstered in Persian damassé. The "Queen Mab" papers had been collected and published by Messrs. Graham & Richardson in book-form, and May was the proud and happy owner of a copyright for which she had refused eight hundred dollars, and which had already netted her nearly as many thousands. Aunt Mary had become a fixture in "brother Harry's" home, and "brother Leonard" had a housekeeper for his wife, who still continued to bemoan the ingratitude of those for whom one does the most and the impertinence of poor relations. Fay yet taught at the mill, but would only do so until Mr. Arthur's return, which was expected very shortly now.

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