ed, and keeping a
sharp eye open for any place that might promise a quiet haven for the
night.

In this way he came to a cross-street between two important
thoroughfares, and turning into it, he knew not why, he was brought to
an open door, whence issued sounds of singing.

He loved music of every kind, and this singing was so sweet and fervent
that it drew him little by little further inside the door, until,
almost before he knew it, he found himself in a bright attractive hall,
set with chairs, and nearly filled by a gathering of men and women,
singing heartily a gospel song, the like of; which he had never heard
before.

There was something so genial in the atmosphere of the place that the
homeless boy resolved to stay if he would be permitted, and so taking a
seat in the nearest corner he gave himself up to the enjoyment of the
music.

Soon a young man espied him and came towards him. Was he going to turn
him out? Poor Terry's heart sank, and he felt his face becoming
crimson. But his fears were all unfounded. Instead of asking him to
leave, the young man held out his hand, saying with a cordial smile,--

"You're very welcome, my boy. Come up nearer; and here's a hymn-book
to sing from."

Terry would have preferred his corner, but he felt it would be
ungracious to refuse so kind an invitation, and he therefore followed
obediently till he was assigned a seat not far from the desk, at which
stood a venerable man with long white beard, whose countenance seemed
to radiate tenderness and sympathy.

When the singing ended, the leader began to speak. His theme was the
love of Christ for sinners, and he spoke with rare simplicity and
winning force. Terry listened with every faculty attent. It was all
strangely new to him. What little religious instruction he had got in
the Roman Catholic Church was in no way a preparation for this earnest,
direct, personal gospel, which not only took a strong hold upon his
heart, but seemed to arouse some sort of response there, as though it
were awakening faculties which had been hitherto dormant.

The speaker evidently observed the boy's rapt attention, for he turned
upon him many a look of loving appeal, that made Terry feel as though
he were looking right down into his heart and reading all that was
there.

Yet, strange to say, Terry had no disposition to resent this. So
spell-bound was he that he could hardly have resisted any command the
old man might have laid