t
whether he should remain so long.

"If you ain't here, there won't be no harm done," said the
good-natured fellow, "and it won't take a minute to stop."

Mr. Armstrong having thanked him and wished him success, advanced to
the cabin.

He found Holden in the outer room, engaged in his usual employment,
when at home, of weaving baskets. A large quantity of prepared
saplings, split very thin, lay scattered around him, while bundles of
walnut poles, the crude material of his manufacture, were piled up
in the corners ready for use. With a quick and dexterous hand the
Solitary wove in the ribbon-like pieces, showing great familiarity
with the work. Without desisting from his labor, he expressed pleasure
at the visit of his friend, and requested him to be seated.

"I am honored," he said, "this day. To what shall I ascribe the notice
of the wealthy Mr. Armstrong?"

There was a slight tone of irony in the words. It probably was
observed by Mr. Armstrong, for, with some feeling, he replied:

"Speak to me not so coldly. And yet," he added, dejectedly, "I
deserve that all the world should reject me. Neither the happy nor the
miserable feel sympathy for me."

The wayward humor of Holden was evidently softened by the sadness of
the sweet, low voice.

"Each heart," he said, "knoweth best its own bitterness, and I repent
me of my rudeness. But when I saw thee here I could not but remember
that I had dwelt long years in this dwelling, and"--he hesitated, and
Armstrong finished the sentence:

"And you would say this is the first time I have darkened your door.
Well may it be called darkness where my unhappy shadow falls. But
forgive me: it is only lately that I learned to know you."

"Thou errest, James Armstrong," returned Holden, "if thou thinkest
thou knowest me, or will ever know me. Yet, after all," he added in
a gentler manner, "thou art right. Yes, know me as a fellow sinner,
journeying with thee to eternity."

"As my friend," replied Armstrong; "as the guide whose deeper
experience in heavenly things shall teach me the way to heaven, unless
by some inscrutable decree I am excluded."

"How has my heart been open, how has it longed for years to meet
thine! How gladly would I have poured out my grief into thy bosom as
into that of a brother!" cried Holden, his voice choked with emotion.

The countenance of Mr. Armstrong betrayed astonishment. "How is this?"
he said. "I never knew it. You have always been to me as