g herself,
steadily declined to leave poor Mrs. McAravey. The family at the
rectory could not but approve this resolve, and so for the time nothing
further was said on the subject.

The rector had now established a monthly service at Tor Bay, over which
he himself presided. This service, as well as the Scripture-reader's
classes, was held in Mrs. McAravey's cottage, for which accommodation
the old woman was almost compelled to accept a consideration that went
far towards paying her rent. Elsie, from having been the chief care,
had now become the invaluable assistant of the reader. The population
of the neighbourhood had been recently augmented by the advent of a
number of miners, engaged in opening up the numerous streaks of iron
ore that have of recent years begun to be worked in the Antrim glens.
Elsie, who had long since overcome her prejudice against the arts of
reading and writing, was now quite competent to act as Mr. Hendrick's
assistant, or even as his substitute. For this help, too, she was,
after a time, induced to accept a trifling remuneration.

So had the good providence of God opened out a way for this poor
parentless child, that at the age of sixteen or seventeen she found
herself in a position of usefulness and importance that was pleasing to
her. A homely night-school had been established on four evenings of
the week, of which Elsie was the recognised and paid mistress. Her old
and trusty friend George Hendrick came over as of yore on Wednesdays,
and also on Fridays when no school was held, the evening being occupied
by the service, and singing practice which followed.

Elsie's pure and sweet example, and bright and playful manner, were of
priceless value among the somewhat rough and careless mining population
which had now been settled on the moors about the headlands.

The girl was happy in herself, and therefore failed not to inspire
others with something of the innocent sunshine of her own nature. She
still was haunted by the dear, dead face of her whom she had learned to
love as a sort of angelic mother. But she had learnt a better faith
than that of hero-worship, and had come to look to another Presence,
that was human and yet divinely glorious, for guidance, sympathy, and
direction.

CHAPTER VII.

Thus matters continued for two years. Elsie was now a grown young
woman, and her school was regularly established. Her's was a happy and
contented time--

"Never feeling of u