ort to Captain Yorke's household. Our house and grounds were
forbidden to Theodore Yorke, in consequence of this feud; but Jim's
duties called him, at times, to the home of the old sailor, whence he
was accustomed to bring the daily supply of milk for the consumption of
the family, and where he had been wont to linger as long as he dared
when sent on this errand. More than once had he returned with a black
eye, cut lip, or other adornment of a warlike nature; and several
milk-pails had been degraded from things of usefulness, by reason of
being used as weapons of offence and defence.

And, although he knew all this, here was uncle Rutherford actually
setting up these two already belligerent lads as rivals in the race for
learning and character, with such a prize in the future to the winner.
His object would defeat itself. Was it to be supposed that tempers
would be controlled, that any little tendency to take advantage of an
enemy would be smothered, under these circumstances?

"Dear uncle," said Milly, whose face had fallen when she heard who was
to be the rival candidate, "Jim is my charge; and you will not think me
ungracious, if I say that I cannot consent to let him enter the lists
against Theodore Yorke. I know only too well that it would arouse all
his bad passions. As I said before, rivalry in any case would not be
best for him, but, against Theodore, it would be simply ruinous; and I
would rather see him remain under Thomas's tuition, learning to be a
thorough and efficient servant, and to control his temper because right
is right, than to have him take the first honors in any college in the
world, if these are to be purchased by the fostering of an envy and
jealousy which I am sure would be the result of your plan."

"Saint Millicent is right, as usual, when her brands snatched from the
burning are concerned," said father, putting his arm over her shoulder.
"I quite agree with her, Rutherford. We shall always see that both
those boys, Jim and Bill, are well provided for; and neither of them
shall lack for such an amount of education as may fit him to make his
way in some respectable calling. To Jim we owe a debt which far
outbalances the benefit he has received at our hands." And papa's eye
turned, with lingering tenderness, to the far corner of the room, where
Allie and Daisy, unconscious of the weighty matters which were being
discussed among their elders, were absorbed in happy play with dolls
and dog. "W