ered among
themselves; and others, again, looked belligerent.

"Go tell him to go away, Mary," said the little one.

"I don't like to; you go, Ellen," said another.

"I'm afraid."

"Oh! you scary things! I'll go myself," said a third; and, rising,
this little one came to the rescue, and standing up firmly before the
intruder said:

"What do you come here for, making our teacher cry? Go home this
minute; if you don't I'll run right across the street and fetch my
father from the shop to you! he's as big as you are!"

Ishmael turned his beautiful eyes upon this little champion of six
summers, and smiling upon her, said gently:

"I did not come here to make anybody cry, my dear; I came to do your
teacher a service."

The child met his glance with a searching look, such as only babes can
give, and turned and went back and reported to her companions.

"He's good; he won't hurt anybody."

Mrs. Walsh having sobbed herself into quietness, wiped her eyes,
looked up and said:

"Well, sir, why don't you proceed with your business? Why don't you
serve your writ?"

"My dear madam, it is not my business to serve writs. And if it was I
have none to serve," said Ishmael very gently.

She looked at him in doubt.

"You have mistaken my errand here, madam. I am not retained on the
other side; I have nothing whatever to do with the other side. I have
heard your story; my sympathies are with you; and I have come here to
offer you my professional services," said Ishmael gravely.

She looked at him earnestly, as if she would read his soul. The woman
of thirty was not so quick at reading character as the little child of
six had been.

"Have you counsel?" inquired Ishmael.

"Counsel? No! Where should I get it?"

"Will you accept me as counsel? I came here to offer you
my services."

"I tell you I have no means, sir."

"I do not want any remuneration in your case; I wish to
serve you, for your own sake and for God's; something we must
do for God's sake and for our fellow creatures'. I wish to be
your counsel in the approaching trial. I think, with the favor
of Divine Providence, I can bring your case to a successful
issue and secure you in the peaceful possession of your children."

"Do you think so? Oh! do you think so?" she inquired eagerly, warmly.

"I really do. I think so, even from the showing of the other side,
who, of course, put the fairest face upon their own cause."

"And will you? Oh! will you?"

"Wit