eet heavenly influences."

"That's a camera!" said Mr. Simlins something shortly. "You can't have
all that in this world."

"The fact that people cannot be perfect in this world, does not hinder
their being better than they are."

"Well, I say, how're you goin' to work to make it, when they're doin'
the best they can do, already?"

"Who is?"

"I am inclined to be of the opinion you air," said Mr Simlins slowly.
"I won't say I be--but I don't know how to do no better."

"Thank you, Mr. Simlins--" was the somewhat sorrowful reply,--"you may
see what I do, but you do not see what I know. And for you, my
friend--pray to know!--there can be no mistakes in the advice that
comes from heaven."

There was a minute's silence, till they came to a turning.

"I'd be glad to see you," said Mr. Simlins in a somewhat lowered
tone,--"ary one of you--down to my house, any time. _You_ can take care
of her the rest of the way. Good night!"--

He turned off abruptly down a road that led his way.

They had been walking with slackened steps during this conversation,
and the lingering memory of it still checked the pace of the two now
left together:

"Silence accompanied; for beast and bird,
They to their grassy couch, these to their nests,"

had all retreated. And when Mr. Linden spoke, it was not in his own
words.

"'I thank thee, uncreated Sun,
That thy bright beams on me have shined!
I thank thee, who hast overthrown
My foes, and healed my wounded mind!
I thank thee, whose enlivening voice
Bids my freed heart in thee rejoice!

"'Thee will I love, my joy, my crown!
Thee will I love, my Lord, my God!
Thee will I love--beneath thy frown
Or smile, thy sceptre or thy rod!
What though my flesh and heart decay,
Thee shall I love in endless day!'"

The silence of the evening fell again unbroken. Unless a breath caught
somewhat interruptedly--so gentle a break--might be said to break it.
Faith said nothing, except by that caught breath. Mr. Linden's step was
the only one heard. Silently then he gave her his arm, and they went on
at a quicker pace.

After a while Faith broke the silence. She spoke in a very quiet voice;
as if choosing her words; and hesitated a little sometimes as if
timidity checked her.

"Mr. Linden, I want to ask you about something that troubles me--I
don't know what is right. I know I know very little--I know I cannot
say much or can't say it well--but I