th a stern grip.

Helen saw it in his face. A great fear seized her; She started up.

"Oh, I must run!" she exclaimed. "You will be sure to come and see us,
Mr. Macgregor. Indeed, you must come."

Her manner was light, almost frivolous. Shock felt the change
instinctively, read her fear, and decided that the moment for speech
had passed.

"Good-by," he said, looking steadily into her eyes. "Good-by. God bless
you for your kindness to--to us both."

The little catch in his voice reached the girl's heart, and the tears
sprang to her eyes.

"Good-by," she said hurriedly. "Good-by," and was gone.

A little way down the street she met Brown.

"Well?"

"Well, it is all over. I am thankful, too. Yes, so thankful."

"Well, I'll be--" Brown left his sentence unfinished and turned away
from her impatiently.

He found Shock still sitting at the table, unspeakable misery showing
in his eyes.

"Well, old chap," Brown said kindly, putting his hand upon his friend's
shoulder.

"That is over, thank God!" said Shock. "I was afraid of it, but it is
over now."

"It is, eh?" said Brown crossly. "Well, let's go. You're two of a kind.
Come on. You'll have to get at your speech now."

"My speech?" said Shock, rising wearily. "No speech for me."

"I tell you what, Shock," said Brown, with a touch of impatience, "you
think too much of yourself."

"Do I, Brown? Well, perhaps so," said Shock, humbly.

"Oh, confound your old carcass!" cried Brown, throwing his arm round
Shock's neck. "You'll be my death yet. At the same time, you ought to
speak, and I believe you will. If I know your conscience it won't let
you rest."

It turned out that Brown was right, for when the Superintendent wrote a
note to Shock asking him formally on behalf of the Committee to address
the Assembly on Home Mission night, the last sentence in his letter
determined Shock to accept.

"I know what this will cost you," the Superintendent wrote, "but the
cause is not yours nor mine. It is His. And for His sake I believe you
will do this."

"I knew you would, old chap," said Brown exultantly. "If a fellow could
get the combination of your conscience he could do what he liked with
you."

"Well, I suppose if they wish me to make an exhibition of myself I
should not refuse, and after all, what matter how I speak? I will fail,
I know, but I will do my best."

"Never a fail," cried Brown. "Don't preach at them. Tell them yarns.
That's what your chief d