pious efforts to train her in the love of God, bringing
forth the most precious fruits of the Holy Spirit.

CHAPTER II.

THE BASKET OF FLOWERS.

One day, early in the charming month of May, Mary went into a wood near
her home to get some branches and twigs of the willow and hazel. When
her father was not busily engaged in the garden, he occupied his time
in making baskets of all sorts, and particularly lady's work-baskets.
While he busied himself in this way, Mary read to him from the Bible or
some good book, or, as her father worked, he talked to her about the
highest matters.

While Mary was gathering the materials for her father's basket-work,
she found some beautiful specimens of lily-of-the-valley; and,
gathering sufficient of the flowers, she made two bunches, one for her
father and the other for herself. After she had finished her work, and
when she was returning home through a meadow, she met the Countess of
Eichbourg and her daughter Amelia who were taking an afternoon walk.
The ladies spent the greater part of their time in the city, but
occasionally they lived for a few days at the Castle.

Some of the most important circumstances of life spring from apparently
trifling events. In the case of Mary, this accidental meeting with the
Countess and her daughter proved the beginning of the painful
circumstances of this story. But God overrules all events, and this
tale gives abundant proof that all things work together for good to
them that love God.

As the ladies came near Mary, she stood a little on one side to let
them pass; but when they saw the beautiful bunches of lilies in her
hand they stopped to admire them, and wanted to buy one. Mary
respectfully declined to sell her flowers, but she begged that the
ladies would each accept a bunch. They were so struck with the girl's
unaffected grace and modesty, that they gladly took her little
offering, and Amelia requested her to gather more and bring them to the
Castle every day for the rest of the season.

Mary faithfully performed this duty, and every morning while the
flowers were in bloom she carried a bunch of lilies to the young lady.
By and by an intimacy, which was something more than ordinary between
two girls of such widely different positions, sprang up between Mary
and Amelia. They were nearly of the same age, their tastes were
similar, and it is not surprising that the acquaintance begun in a
chance manner developed into a sincere frie