d so kept out of his father's
way. Now, on coming in from his work, he found him already at home, and
so changed in appearance, that he gazed upon him with a surprise which
he could not at first conceal.

"Henry, my son," said Mr. Ellis, in a kind, self-possessed tone of
voice, and he reached out his hand as he spoke.

The boy took his father's hand, and looked earnestly into his face.

"Henry, how long have you been with Mr. Wilson?" inquired Mr. Ellis.

"Two years, sir," was answered.

The father looked at the boy's hands, and sighed. They were hard and
discolored from labour.

"Tell Mr. Wilson, in the morning," said he, "that I wish you to leave
him after this week."

"Sir!" Henry looked surprised.

"Tell him that I wish you to go to school for a year or two."

"Father!" The blood flew suddenly to the lad's face. For a few moments
he looked at his father; then turning, he passed quickly into the
adjoining room. In the stillness that followed, were audible the sobs
that came from his overflowing heart.

A week, a month, a year have passed, yet the promise of that happy time
is dimmed not by a single cloud. Firm in his better purpose and fully
sustained at home, Henry Ellis is walking steadily the path of safety.
Home is what it ever should have been, the pleasantest place in all the
world; for she who is its sunlight never meets him with a clouded face.
His desert has, indeed, blossomed as the rose. May the bloom and
fragrance thereof never fade nor lose its sweetness!

THE END.

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