sorrowful lamentation.

Nevertheless, I know that sorrow must now fill your hearts, and be assured you have my deepest sympathy." He then left the cottage, judging rightly that the presence of any one must be an intrusion at such a time.

After a few moments' silence, Mrs Jones said, "It was he leaped into the sea, I'm sure, though he doesn't tell us so. But of course he wrote that first. I wondered in myself," she continued, "how it fretted me to hear of that leap: all the others being drowned seemed little to that. I could almost see him do it. My poor boy, Jack! my son! oh, my son!" and she wrung her hands in anguish. Jones let her weep, and wept himself, and taking the letter out of his pocket, he read it again. think we haven't thanked the Lord as we ought," he said, "for the end of it. Listen: You see he's sure of meeting us again in heaven. That's mighty consolation. I didn't take it rightly in, I think, when Mr Fulham read it. The sorrow of the first part blinded my eyes; I could see nothing else."

“I

“You're right in what you say," replied his wife; "and I'm thinking we have got an answer to our prayers, though it hasn't come exactly in the way we'd have wished,—not by the front door, but by the back."

"The Lord be praised!" exclaimed Jones. is a blessed answer,

our Jack in heaven."

"It

for it tells us we shall meet

On the evening of that day, when all hearts were

stirred by the accounts of the wreck, Mr Wright read the following poem to his wife and children :

"There's a storm, a fearful tempest,
Souls are sinking to despair;
There's a shore of blessed refuge;
Try! oh, try to guide them there.

"Oh, remember Him who saved you! Whose right hand deliverance wrought, Who, from depths of guilt and anguish, You to peace and safety brought.

"Tis His voice now cheers you onward'He that warneth souls is wise ;' Launch the gospel's blessed lifeboat, Venture all to win the prize."

CHAPTER XXIV.

Two days before Captain and Mrs Mostyn were due at Elmsgrove, a letter came to say they were obliged to put off their visit for a week, in consequence of some business to which Captain Mostyn must attend. This was a disappointment felt by many, in ways varying according to the standpoint of view, of each. For instance :

Mr Abbot had been coaxing on some of his flowers, and keeping back others, so as to have them in full beauty just at the right moment; and now he declared they "would not do him a bit of credit. And as for the arch, he'd take no further trouble about it." And Old Jones, trembling with excitement, went up to Elmsgrove to consult Fanny whether it wouldn't be better to "give up the arch at once, and just stick to the 'Welcome' over the school-house door."

"Indeed I think so," she replied. "I don't much care about the arch myself; but when Mr Abbot proposed undertaking it, I thought it so kind of him; but if he is tired waiting, we 'll give up the idea. Indeed, papa says the train arrives so late, there would be scarcely light to see the arch; so you and I, Jones, will see to the Welcome.''

"If we could bring out the welcome that's in our hearts, Miss Fanny-yours and mine, I mean —and nail it up over the door, I'm thinking it would be bigger and brighter than all the flowers in the Rectory garden could make it. I don't know how to make it out," he added, "and I wouldn't wish my wife to know I said it; but somehow my heart rises in me when I think of standing watching for the train, as I'm sure to do, and see her stepping out. It's more as if it was our own Jack I was looking for-the poor boy! the poor boy!" and Jones turned away his head.

"Remember, Jones," said Fanny, laying her hand on his arm, "remember what his letter told you, and be comforted."

"And so I am, Miss Fanny; but these are queer feelings as come over me, and I can't read them aright. But we'll make sure of the 'Welcome.' I hear the school-children mean to be at the station."

66

"Oh, yes. Could we get up a cheer from them?" Maybe 'twould frighten the horses. The one they call Polly is sometimes awful wicked," replied Jones.

"Indeed! perhaps so. But I'll tell you what we might do: We could have a few of the girls who sing best-for instance, Emma Rae and Mary Allen, and some of the boys too, and practise them beforehand to sing something pretty; so there's that much good in the delay, Jones. We have a week to practise."