arated him from the lower story. Here he paused a moment for Aunt
Lucy to appear. Her sharp ears had distinguished his stealthy steps as
he passed her door, and she came down to bid him good-by. She had in her
hands a pair of stockings which she slipped into his bundle.

"I wish I had something else to give you, Paul," she said, "but you know
that I am not very rich."

"Dear Aunt Lucy," said Paul, kissing her, "you are my only friend on
earth. You have been very kind to me, and I never will forget you,
NEVER! By-and-by, when I am rich, I will build a fine house, and you
will come and live with me, won't you?"

Paul's bright anticipations, improbable as they were, had the effect of
turning his companion's thoughts into a more cheerful channel.

She bent down and kissed him, whispering softly, "Yes, I will, Paul."

"Then it's a bargain," said he, joyously, "Mind you don't forget it. I
shall come for you one of these days when you least expect it."

"Have you any money?" inquired Aunt Lucy.

Paul shook his head.

"Then," said she, drawing from her finger a gold ring which had held
its place for many long years, "here is something which will bring you a
little money if you are ever in distress."

Paul hung back.

"I would rather not take it, indeed I would," he said, earnestly,
"I would rather go hungry for two or three days than sell your ring.
Besides, I shall not need it; God will provide for me."

"But you need not sell it," urged Aunt Lucy, "unless it is absolutely
necessary. You can take it and keep it in remembrance of me. Keep it
till you see me again, Paul. It will be a pledge to me that you will
come back again some day."

"On that condition I will take it," said Paul, "and some day I will
bring it back."

A slight noise above, as of some one stirring in sleep, excited the
apprehensions of the two, and warned them that it was imprudent for them
to remain longer in conversation.

After a hurried good-by, Aunt Lucy quietly went upstairs again, and
Paul, shouldering his bundle, walked rapidly away.

The birds, awakening from their night's repose, were beginning to carol
forth their rich songs of thanksgiving for the blessing of a new day.
From the flowers beneath his feet and the blossom-laden branches above
his head, a delicious perfume floated out upon the morning air, and
filled the heart of the young wanderer with a sense of the joyousness of
existence, and inspired him with a hopeful confidence