read over till she could almost repeat it herself. When Mary lived in service at the Hall, she added many comforts to her parent's old age. They needed little things which their years prevented them from earning, and it used to be their child's delight to surprise them with them. She did not forget them now that she was far away. Once a quarter, when she received her wages, she made up a little parcel for them, and sent it by the waggon. It was a long way to send it, but Mary would say it would be worth double the money for the pleasure that it gave. She knew the time when it would reach the cottage, and then her head was always full of it; so that if anything went wrong, her mistress would say,' Have you been sending a parcel to your parents, Mary?' There was great joy in the cottage when the stout waggoner stopped at the ́gate, and, handing down the brown-paper parcel, said, 'There's your parcel all right,

and paid!' It was like a visit from Mary, when it came, for everything showed her care and love. Nelly would shed tears, and praise her child, while she opened it, and showed her husband all that was in it; but the father seldom spoke a word, except it was, God bless her!' When Mary lived in her own village, she subscribed a shilling a quarter to the Church Missionary Society, and this money she always now enclosed in her parcel to her mother. Nelly thought a great deal about taking up her Mary's money to the vestry after service, when the minister received the subscriptions, on the first Sunday of every month. To see him set it down against her child's name, just as if she were still living in the place!

It was seven years since Mary had come to live with Mrs. Olivant, and five since she had been home; when one morning, her mistress, who had for some time been feeble, expressed a wish to sleep a little longer;

and, when Mary returned in half-an-hour, it was the sleep of death. It seemed that her blessed spirit had passed away without her even waking. It was a great shock to Mary, for a faithful servant's love is very strong. Squire Montagu came down directly, and she was comforted by seeing all the respect her master showed to the dear lady's memory; she was comforted too by seeing how the poor mourned her with tears and blessings; but, most of all was she comforted by the thought of the happy life on which the spirit of her beloved mistress had entered. No more old age or feebleness where the spirits of the righteous dwell; but there the servants of the Lord shall serve Him: "they shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever."

CHAPTER VI.

THE WEDDING DAY.

"The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it."-PROV. x. 22.

MANY a kind welcome was waiting for Mary on her return to her father's house. Her parents had but little sleep the night before her arrival, thinking about her coming. Nelly was up in the morning an hour before her usual time, putting the house in order, as if Mary had been expected to breakfast instead of to tea. Cuthbert gave over work that day at noon; and having asked his master for old Boxer, he cleaned up his harness, and rubbed the poor

beast down till his shaggy coat began to look smooth and bright; then putting him into the cart, he drove home for his Sunday coat and hat. It was long before the time, but Nelly was looking out for him, and once or twice she bid him make haste,' for fear he should be too late! Nelly had already put on her white apron and the last new gown that Mary sent, and the tea was set out upon the table. She was right glad to see her husband drive off, with Boxer's head turned towards the town. gave him a parting charge not to stop after anything by the way, and then she went back into the cottage. The winter had passed away, and the early spring was come. The china-rose-tree, that Mary when a child used to call her's, was opening its first pale blossoms by the door-way, and the golden crocus and beautiful snowdrop peeped above the rich black mould. There was not a weed to be seen in Nelly's garden, and the

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