"Such news, Mrs. Owen, we have just heard! Lilian Spencer is really married. See, here is today's paper." "She really is?" and Emily took the paper, and reading the announcement, sighed. "Quite a private affair it was," continued Maggie, 'not more than half a dozen present. Not the slightest fuss, the doctors would not permit it. Dear Lilian went through the ceremony beautifully; so calm and gentle she was, though pale as a snowdrop. Her mamma accompanied them on the weddingtour they went to the Goolwa." "The newspaper does not give you all this intelligence," said Emily, archly. "I presume Mr. Hugh has returned to Hawthorn. Has he not?" Maggie could not dispute the fact; indeed, her cheeks would have refuted her had she attempted to do so; they were pretty in their blushes to look upon. She seized the "Rosebud" from its cot to hide her hot cheeks. "I suppose we shall see Lilly soon at Hawthorn ?" "Yes, they are coming for a short time. Mr. Norton intends giving his bride the peep at her favourite old home she so much desires; that is, if she is strong enough to bear it." "Dear Lilly! I wonder she is not fearful of all this excitement; I wonder others are not fearful for her. How glad shall I be to see her here again, and in our little chapel;" and Emily sighed as she thought of the changes that had taken place in Glen Ness, and particularly in that little chapel, since Lilian's departure. 66 Changes for better and worse have both oc curred," she thought sadly to herself, as she stood at the window watching Maggie at play with baby, "since I first entered Glen Ness;" and she presently more humbly added, "Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil?" CHAPTER XXXIV. THE BRIDE AT HAWTHORN. "Happy they, who all committing To their Heavenly Father's love, Blest in this His people are." HUGH was back, and, as the first result of his return, Maggie's visits to the minister's house became fewer and far between. He was engrossing all her spare time, that was evident enough; his old ascendancy was not lost, he was at her side at all the meetings, his voice again leading in the choir, his hands again turning her music, and finding out the places for her. And the poor girl looked so happy, so radiantly happy, that Emily had not the heart to disturb her dream. The little prayer-meeting that had been so constantly held at the cottage had been of necessity discontinued awhile on account of the change of residence, and the consequent disarrangement of household matters; only for a while, however, for in this matter Emily felt a great responsibility weighing upon her. The meeting had been made useful, and it seemed to her that they needed prayer more now than any other time; for worlds she would not have discontinued it. But did it seem the same little meeting that had been assembled in their cottage home? Had it not suffered from the removal? Unfortunately it had. Whether it was that, the house being situated in the township, the regular Tuesday's visits called forth more comment, perchance raillery, than some of the young attendants had anticipated;-whether their hearts were influenced by the general atmosphere of coldness that had infected the little church, or whether some of them, like Maggie, were not drawn off by a still more potent and insidious influence, certain it was, Emily's prayer-meeting fell away till but two or three remained behind to pray for the rest. Among that number was Cary Lamont. She was staunch, though by no means exempt from the common temptation to declension. Pretty and fair, it was not to be expected that there would be no applications for her hand. Her father's wellto-do condition increased the certainty; indeed, as housekeeper for her brother, so constantly was she thrown into the society of the other sex, exemption in her case would have been little short of a miracle. And so many would very gladly have wooed and won our fair Cary; but more than one good offer was refused, till both brother and father grew angry with her. Not, indeed, that Joe Lamont wanted to lose his nice little housekeeper; not just at present, at any rate, till he brought home a certain darkhaired, rosy-cheeked lassie, who had promised some day to be his wife. But he did wish at that future time to see Cary settled; and when he saw her 'throwing away" such good chances, he thought he had reason for his anger. But there was one thing against which Cary resolutely set her face. No advantages of position, or wealth, could turn her from her purpose; she would not marry a man who was not a Christian. No, she would rather never marry than go on the journey of life side by side with one whose path lay not towards the Kingdom. And she was right; for what happiness can there be in married life where the roads to be traversed are diverse? What joy in the love that is severed at the grave? Think well of the sorrowful moments that must follow an union of this kind, young Christian, before you take the final step. Think well of the consequences of wedding with one who, however tenderly loving and loved, cannot be yours for eternity. "One shall be taken and the other left." One shall be taken and the other left. "Oh! words of sad, of fearful import! Stanch to her principles in every way was Cary, and so she did not forsake the little prayer-meeting, though it had indeed dwindled down to two or three. 66 They were yet within the number," Emily would say, with a sad smile. "Let us pray earnestly, fervently, that in the Lord's own time He may revive us again, and cause His showers to descend. It is indeed a time of dearth with us at present, Cary, but it will not be so always; only remember our Father will be inquired of to do these things for us. He will have us ask and feel our need before He sends his gracious answer. Oh! let us never stop praying." And so the little prayer-meeting, with its two or three attendants, went on. Emily felt she could not |