a common
acquaintance."

A shade fell on the face of Holden. He misunderstood the meaning
of the other. He supposed the phrase applicable to the feelings of
Armstrong towards himself, and not as descriptive of his own conduct
to Armstrong. "For the sake of the little Faith," he said coldly, "who
is now a lovely woman, have I highly regarded thee."

"It is even so," said Armstrong, in a melancholy tone. "There are none
left to love me for my own sake. Yet why should I quarrel with my own
daughter? Let me rather be grateful that she has been the means of
attracting one being towards me. How can I show my friendship? How can
I make you my friend?"

"I _am_ thy friend," cried Holden, grasping his hand with another
revulsion of feeling. "Put me to any proof. I will not fail."

"If money could avail with a man like you," continued Armstrong, "it
should not be wanting. If ease or luxury could tempt--but you have
trampled them under foot, and what are they to one whose conversation
is in heaven?"

Holden, while he was speaking, had risen from his seat and strode
twice or thrice across the room. When Armstrong had finished speaking
he again approached him.

"It is not for naught," he exclaimed, "that the Lord hath conducted
thee this day unto me. Speak what he shall put into thy mouth to say."

"I would have your confidence," said Armstrong. "As the sick beast or
the hurt bird knows by an infallible instinct what herb or plant will
best promote its cure, so it seems to me does Providence direct me to
you. Repulse me not, but be my kind physician."

"How can the physician prescribe, if he knoweth not the complaint."

"You shall know if you have patience to listen. But I must go back
years to make myself intelligible."

"Speak, my brother," said Holden, gently, "not a word shall fall in
vain."

"Then listen," said Armstrong, "and learn what sorrows the outward
shows of prosperity may gild."

Holden resumed his seat, and Armstrong began his relation.

"My parents," he said, "had but two children, myself and my brother,
who was younger by two years. The tenderest affection existed between
us, and we were never separated until I went to college, where, after
a couple of years, I was joined by him, and where we remained together
until the close of my collegiate course. I then returned home, in
order to take my place in the mercantile business, in which our
father was engaged. My brother George was destined for one of