is poor mother so
much grief, and had also become a faithful follower of the Lord. I was
at first delighted to see him, and then my heart sank within me for fear
that he was unchanged. He did not leave me long in doubt on the
subject. I knew by his gentle and subdued manners, by the unmistakable
expressions he used, and then by the deep sorrow that he expressed, that
the opinions he once held had grieved his poor mother, that he no longer
adhered to the vain philosophy in which he had formerly gloried. I soon
discovered that he loved me, and then I had no hesitation in giving him
my heart in return."

"You acted wisely and rightly, dear Margaret and David and I are truly
glad to welcome him as a brother, whom we have long looked upon as the
most intimate of our friends."

The next day, Alec and Margaret, accompanied by Janet, were conducted in
due form by Donald and David to the house which they had but lately
finished on Alec's property. The surprise was indeed a great and
delightful one. As it did not take long to get in as much furniture as
was required at that season of the year, Margaret and her husband, with
her faithful nurse, in a few days took up their abode there.

Alec's worldly circumstances had greatly improved, for much more of his
father's property had been recovered than he expected, so that his share
was considerable, and with the experience he had gained, he was able to
employ his capital in farming, with great advantage.

"What will you two poor bachelors do by yourselves," said Margaret.
"Could you not manage to come and live with us in this house as you
purposed doing had Alec returned alone?"

"We have work enough in drawing our plans, and other business of our
office to employ nearly every hour of the day," answered Donald. "And
besides, we are anxious to assist Mr Skinner, who wishes to enlarge his
house as soon as possible, as he expects a widowed sister and her family
to join him shortly, and he does not consider the accommodation he can
now offer them, sufficient."

"Oh, I suppose he wishes to have a nursery built where the children may
be out of hearing," said Margaret, laughing.

"He has not mentioned the ages of his nieces, or how many there are of
them," said David, "but I should think, from a remark he made, that they
cannot be little children."

The young men made no inquiry of their friend about the more juvenile
portion of the family of his expected relatives. As he ha