They had ridden some distance in silence, each having a world within themselves, in which they were busily engaged. Amelia, aroused from a holy reverie, repeated:

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and stars which thou hast ordained, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visitest him."

Charles continued, "Who coverest thyself with light, as with a garment; who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain; who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; who maketh the clouds his chariot; who walketh upon the wings of the wind; who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire; who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever."

There had a holy admiration diffused

itself in each soul, and unfolded to them worlds, and systems of worlds, each containing an inexhaustible storehouse, and each sufficiently accessible to call into action towering intellects, and where every order of mind will move harmoniously in its own sphere. They had each made the word of God their study; as the astronomer looks through his telescope and views the distant planets, so they used the word of God, which not only enabled them to look into the upper sanctuary, but unfolded its unfailing truths to their scientific minds; and was an unerring lens through which they could look with unsullied joy upon the vast machinery of art, and the untiring wheels of science.

The same cloudless sky and the same jewelled lamps that were lighting the Bradleys to their home, were shedding their silver light upon the agi

tated Willard, who urged his spirited steed on, and still on, tossing in his chaise from side to side, as the wheels struck the rolling stones that lay in his way. The road was hilly, and often very rocky; but the unhappy man was unmindful of this. His brow darkened as he muttered to himself, "Lain down, and the hired girl holding him; it can't be possible that Joe has given up the keys to her, for I charged him to keep the cellar and bar locked, for I knew that she would raise the devil with us all, if she got into either."

Mr. Willard had married his wife on a very short acquaintance. Her family had been wealthy-she had gone the giddy rounds of fashionable lifewas intelligent and very fine looking -she had shone with brilliancy in the circles where she had been caressed and ruined—and had acquired a habit of intemperance, not only from her

father's sideboard, but in the gay party where she had reigned a bright, particular star. The now Mrs. Willard, during the years of her widowhood, had resided with the family of her brother-in-law; her extravagance and intemperance had rendered her a burden to him, insomuch that he was ready to negotiate with friend or foe, who would rid him of one whose very presence had become loathsome. This gentleman, being an acquaintance of Mr. Willard, lost no time in recommending his sister-in-law to him. He visited her immediately, and was pleased with her appearance, even more than pleased-he was charmed. The brother and sister wanted everything made sure as soon as possible; they well knew that it was impossible to keep Laura's faults behind the curtain long. By cunning management, in less than a week, Mrs. Stillstiver

became Mrs. Willard.

In two years

we find her sleeping soundly in a state of intoxication, her only child sick, and left to the care of strangers.

It was long after midnight when Mr. Willard reached his home; he entered the house cautiously, and lost no time in making his way to the nursery, where he found the idol of his heart lying in his beautiful cradle in a disturbed sleep. He examined his head carefully, and discovering there were strong indications of congestion, ordered ice-water to be freely used; on finding his little feet very cold, he had draughts applied; the watcher could not prevail upon him to lie down, he was constantly over and around the child, shedding bitter tears -the better portion of his nature was called into action. A few hours before he was the indignant husband, but now the weeping father, with a soul