one who had His inner heart full of tremendous responsibilities, what
should not His followers be in the world,--so far as all human cheer
and interest go?"

"I've never heard him spoken of in that way before," said Eleanor,
speaking as if she were in a brown study.

"I'm glad--selfishly--that you hear it the first time from me, then.
Never again will I do anything of which I think He would disapprove;
but, my dear girl, I give you my word that although occasionally--too
often--I have been lawless in word and action, I never until now have
known the sensation of entire liberty and happiness. You never again
will see me moody, or obstinate, or selfish. I'm going to be a
gentleman in life, as well as by birth. You believe me?"

"I must believe you, Ray; I can't help believing whatever you say. But
I never saw conversion act that way upon any one else, and I don't
understand it."

Bartram looked quizzically at the girl a moment, and then replied,--

"Try it yourself; I'm sure it will affect you just as it does me."

"Oh, Ray, no; I never can bring myself to stand up in church to be
prayed for."

"Don't do it, then. Pray for yourself. I don't know of any one to whom
Heaven would sooner listen. But you can't avoid being prayed for by one
repentant sinner: have the kindness to remember that."

"Ray!" murmured Eleanor.

"And," continued Bartram, rising and placing an arm around Eleanor's
shoulders, "the sooner our prayers can rise together, the sooner you
will understand me, believe me, and trust me. My darling,--the only
woman whom I ever loved,--the only woman of whom I ever was fond,--the
only one to whom I ever gave an affectionate word or caress--"

There are conversations which reach a stage where they should be known
only to those who conduct them. When Bartram started to depart, his
love-life was unclouded.

"Ray," said Eleanor, at the door, "will you oblige me by seeing Sam
Kimper in the morning and asking him to tell his daughter that I
particularly wish she would come back to us?"

CHAPTER XX.

The revival into which were merged the special meetings at Dr. Guide's
church continued so long that religion became absolutely and
enthrallingly fashionable in Bruceton. Many drinking men ceased to
frequent the bar-room of the town, some old family feuds came to an
end, and several couples who should have been married long before were
joined in the holy bonds of wedlock.

Nevertheless, the oldest