ses of
the parsonage.

* * * * *

Miss Electa rolled her greenish orbs about the chamber of learning with
a thoughtful smile. "If Philura Rice ain't crazy," she said aloud; "an'
I guess she ain't far from it. She's told a wicked lie! In either case,
it's my Christian duty to see this thing put a stop to!"

That evening after service Miss Philura, her modest cheeks dyed with
painful blushes, confessed to her promised husband that she had indeed
announced her intentions of matrimony some three months previous. "I
wanted somebody to--to love me," she faltered; "somebody in particular,
you know; and--and I asked God to give me--a--a husband. After I had
asked, of course I _believed_ that _I had_. He--he was already in the
encircling Good, you know, or I should not have wanted him! When Electa
asked me point blank, what could I say without--without denying--_God_?"

The brave voice faltered more than once during this recital; and finally
broke down altogether when the Rev. Silas Pettibone, his brown eyes
shining, exclaimed in joyful yet solemn tones, "and God sent me!"

The encircling Good was perfectly manifest at that moment in the shape
of two strong arms. Miss Philura rested in them and was glad.

THE

HOUR-GLASS

STORIES

* * * * *

THE COURTSHIP OF SWEET ANNE PAGE

By ELLEN V. TALBOT. A brisk little love story incidental to "The Merry
Wives of Windsor," full of fun and frolic, and telling of the Courtship
of Sweet Anne Page by three rivals lovers chosen by her father, her
mother, and herself.

THE SANDALS

By REV. ZELOTES GRENELL. A beautiful little idyl of sacred story dealing
with the sandals of Christ.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF MISS PHILURA

By FLORENCE MORSE KINGSLEY. This clever story is based on the theory
that every physical need and every desire of the human heart can be
claimed and received from the "Encircling Good" by the true believer.

THE HERR DOCTOR

By ROBERT MACDONALD. A novelette of artistic literary merit, narrating
the varied experiences of an American girl in her effort toward
capturing a titled husband.

ESARHADDON

By COUNT LEO TOLSTOY. Three allegorical stories illustrating Tolstoy's
theories of non-resistance, and the essential unity of all forms of
life.

THE CZAR'S GIFT

By WILLIAM ORDWAY PARTRIDGE. How freedom was obtained for an exiled
brother.

THE EMANCIPATION OF MISS SUSANA

An entrancin