too much for even the long-suffering farmer to endure,
and he determined to take strong measures to curb the donkey's
wickedness, whether the animal were a holy friar or not. So Brother
Timothy was sent back again to his old life of toil. He was beaten
without mercy, and instead of luxuries and caresses he had to work
harder than he had ever done before. And this was not the worst, for as
his work grew more his food grew less, till at last the poor creature
could only take his revenge on his hard taskmaster by dying.

Great was the lamentation which then uprose, and sad was Farmer Gilbert
to think that the unfortunate monk had died without repenting of his
sins. Dame Cicely and the children cried for a week, and Farmer Gilbert
recounted all the virtues of the deceased and added solemnly: "May
Heaven pardon Brother Timothy and keep us from the deadly sin of
greed!"

EVANGELINE

In the land of Acadia, within a fruitful and secluded valley, lay the
little village of Grand-Pre. Its inhabitants were a sturdy race of
French farmers, hard-working, kind, and generous. The land was
exceedingly fruitful, and so freely did these simple farmers give to
others that poverty was almost unknown in the village. The pleasant
farmhouses had neither locks to the doors nor bars to the windows, but
stood open like the hearts of their owners.

At a short distance from the village dwelt the wealthy farmer, Benedict
Bellefontaine, an upright and stately man, in spite of his seventy
years. With him lived his only daughter, Evangeline, a lovely maiden of
seventeen summers, and the pride and joy of his old age. Her black eyes
gleamed brightly from beneath the shade of her brown tresses and when,
on Sunday mornings she walked down the village street to church,
wearing her Norman cap, blue kirtle and earrings, all eyes turned to
look at her with admiration, for she was without doubt the most
beautiful girl in the whole village.

Of suitors she had many, but none found favor in her eyes save young
Gabriel, the son of Basil the blacksmith. Basil and Benedict were old
friends, and their children had grown up together almost as brother and
sister, learning the same lessons and sharing the same sports and
pastimes. As they grew up, their childish love deepened and
strengthened, and now, with the warm approval of their respective
fathers, their marriage was soon to take place.

One evening, Benedict was sitting by his fireside, and near him