re streaming.) 'Rise, and
finish thy prayer in thy closet.'

But at Lois's approach he sprang to his feet,--sprang aside.

'Take her away, mother! Lead me not into temptation. She brings me evil
and sinful thoughts. She overshadows me, even in the presence of my
God. She is no angel of light, or she would not do this. She troubles
me with the sound of a voice bidding me marry her, even when I am at my
prayers. Avaunt! Take her away!'

He would have struck at Lois if she had not shrunk back, dismayed and
affrighted. His mother, although equally dismayed, was not affrighted.
She had seen him thus before; and understood the management of his
paroxysm.

'Go, Lois! the sight of thee irritates him, as once that of Faith did.
Leave him to me.'

And Lois rushed away to her room, and threw herself on her bed, like a
panting, hunted creature. Faith came after her slowly and heavily.

'Lois,' said she, 'wilt thou do me a favour? It is not much to ask.
Wilt thou arise before daylight, and bear this letter from me to Pastor
Nolan's lodgings? I would have done it myself, but mother has bidden me
to come to her, and I may be detained until the time when Hota is to be
hung; and the letter tells of matters pertaining to life and death.
Seek out Pastor Nolan wherever he may be, and have speech of him after
he has read the letter.'

'Cannot Nattee take it?' asked Lois.

'No!' Faith answered, fiercely. 'Why should she?'

But Lois did not reply. A quick suspicion darted through Faith's mind,
sudden as lightning. It had never entered there before.

'Speak, Lois. I read thy thoughts. Thou wouldst fain not be the bearer
of this letter?'

'I will take it,' said Lois, meekly. 'It concerns life and death, you
say?'

'Yes!' said Faith, in quite a different tone of voice. But, after a
pause of thought, she added: 'Then, as soon as the house is still, I
will write what I have to say, and leave it here, on this chest; and
thou wilt promise me to take it before the day is fully up, while there
is yet time for action.'

'Yes! I promise,' said Lois. And Faith knew enough of her to feel sure
that the deed would be done, however reluctantly.

The letter was written--laid on the chest; and, ere day dawned, Lois
was astir, Faith watching her from between her half-closed
eyelids--eyelids that had never been fully closed in sleep the livelong
night. The instant Lois, cloaked and hooded, left the room, Faith
sprang up, and prepared to go to