pite of its sunshine, and bright flowers and attractions--to
feel that holy desire to be with the dear Savior who had died for her.

The child rose with a countenance that was sacred for its purity, and
hopefulness, and trust. She gazed again upon the brilliant morning
land, and listened to the birds, and smiled--for in the sunlight, and
the carol of the bright-winged oriole, and every murmur of the merry
wind, she felt the presence of a loving and All-merciful Creator, who
would bless her, if she loved and obeyed Him.

And so the tender eyes again beamed with the unclouded light of
childhood, and the lips were again calm and happy. The child had
sought for peace and joy from the great central source, and found it.
Everything was now delightful--all the clouds had passed--and a bright
smile illumined her fresh face, and made the sunlight envious, as it
poured its fresh golden radiance upon her brow and cheek.

Redbud had just closed her Bible, and was about to put it away upon
the shelf, when a light step was heard in the room, and a laughing
voice cried, "Well, miss!" and two white arms encircled her neck, two
red lips imprinted a kiss upon her cheek.

The arms and the lips belonged to Fanny.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

FANNY'S VIEWS UPON HERALDRY.

Fanny was overflowing with laughter, and her face was the perfection
of glee. Her dark eyes fairly danced, and the profuse black curls
which rippled around her face, were never still for a moment.

In her hand Miss Fanny carried a wreath of primroses and other
children of the autumn, which spread around them as she came a faint
perfume. From the appearance of the young lady's feet, it seemed that
she had gathered them herself. Her shoes and ankles, with their white
stockings, were saturated with the dews of morning.

After imprinting upon Miss Redbud's cheek the kiss which we have
chronicled, Fanny gaily raised the yellow wreath, and deposited it
upon the young girl's head.

"There, Redbud!" she cried, "I declare, you look prettier than ever!"

Redbud smiled, with an affectionate glance at her friend.

"Oh!" cried the impulsive Fanny, "there you are, laughing at me, as
much as to say that you are not pretty! Affected!"

"Oh, no," said Redbud.

"Well, I don't say you are."

"I don't like affectation."

"Nor I," said Fanny; "but really, Reddy, I had no idea that yellow was
so becoming to you."

"Why?" asked Redbud, smiling.

"You are blonde, you know."