at which they all laughed again.

A carriage with liveried coachman and footman, and containing two ladies
drove by. The little boy had to leave his gravel castle while the wheels
of the carriage crushed it to the level. The boy looked at the ruins a
moment, then at the departing vehicle. Then he started his building anew
safely away from wheel tracks.

"A young philosopher," remarked the minister, observing the occurrence.

"Papa," said Lucy, after a pause of consideration, "you have made me so
happy to-day. You can make my joy complete by granting me one other
thing."

"What's that?" asked he unthinkingly.

"Let me be baptized," she replied softly.

The father's body stiffened perceptibly, and his face sobered.

"Believe me, papa, I _am_ sorry to have to annoy you so much on the
matter; but I can't help it. Something within me urges me on. I can't
get away from the testimony which I have, any more than I can get away
from my shadow."

"You can get away from your shadow," said the minister.

"Yes; by going into the dark, and that I do not want to do. I want to
live in the light,--the beautiful gospel light always."

Chester listened in pleased wonder to Lucy's pleadings. He added nothing
as she seemed able to say all that was necessary. In time the father's
face softened again, and he turned to Chester to ask:

"What do you think of such arguments?"

"They're splendid--and reasonable--and true, sir."

"Of course, you would say so. Well, I'll think about it, Lucy."

"But, papa, you've been thinking about it a lot, and time is going. Say
yes today, now--here with Chester and me--and the Lord alone. Besides,
papa, now I ought to be one with Chester in _everything_. That's right,
isn't it?"

"Yes; that's right."

"So you consent?"

"I didn't say that."

"You must. I'm of age anyway, and could do it without your consent; but
I don't want to. I want your blessing instead of your disapproval on
such an important step."

"Could she stand the ordeal, do you think?" asked the father of Chester.

"In a few days when she gets a little stronger--yes."

"Well, let's walk a bit. You two go ahead. I must think."

The two did as they were told nor looked back. The one was not thinking
clearly and logically, so much as he was fighting over the eternal
warfare of conviction against policy. He also knew. He had received more
of a testimony than he ever admitted, even to himself. If he should do
as his innermost