and Job thought of Aunty Perkins--why, there she
was across the aisle, as intent as he; the sight of her face cheered
him. Then he thought of Jane--where was she? Job looked furtively
about, but could not see her. A little unrest filled his soul.

"No gold can buy so much pleasure for your poor heart, no diamond is
rarer, no relic brings back sweeter memories, no friend sticks closer,
than Jesus. The flood of time may sweep friends beyond your reach, the
mighty Sierras may crumble to dust, old earth may sink into space, and
you be alone with the stars and eternity, but it is written, 'I will
not leave thee nor forsake thee.' Jesus will be with you for time and
eternity. 'Unto you therefore which believe, he is precious.'"

Job heard Tony shout, "Hallelujah! Bress de Lawd!" and came very near
following his example.

"He's the Lily of the valley,
The Bright and Morning Star,"

rang out through the church, and voice after voice took it up:

"In sorrow He's my comfort,
In trouble He's my stay,"

and when it came to that place--he could not help it--Job did murmur
"Amen."

For a moment an overwhelming wave of emotion passed over his soul,
then he found the congregation rising, heard like a chant the words,
"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father," and the
Communion Service had begun.

Just then the sun came in through a broken shutter, lighting the
sacramental table with an almost supernatural glory, and Job felt a
mighty love for the Savior fill his heart and almost unconsciously
found himself singing with the congregation:

"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to Thee, O Lord, most high! Amen."

When a little later he knelt at the altar with bowed head, as he heard
the minister's voice saying, "The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
was given for thee," he resolved that from that hour, health, talent,
manhood, all he could be at his best, should be given to God and to
men.

At the close of the service Job saw Jane in the aisle before him, and
walked to the door with her, talking as in the old days. He longed to
say more, but did not. A thrill of happiness came into Jane's heart.
Perhaps he did care for her after all, she thought.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE STRIKE.

"Marse Job, dar's a gemman wid a mighty fine hoss wants to hab de
pleasure ob seeing de young marse," said Tony, poking his head inside
the do