Lucy moved further up the cushion, and Mr. George Keane assisted Miss Goldthwaite to her place.

“O Carrie, succumbed already!” cried Miss Keane.

“Won’t you come in too?” replied Carrie.

“No, thank you; I mean to climb to the top.  Somebody must sustain the credit of our sex.”

“I know it’s safe in your hands, Alice,” said Carrie serenely.—­“Lucy dear, you look happy.  Do you enjoy it?”

The sparkle in Lucy’s eyes answered her better than any words.

The road was becoming rougher and steeper, and Billy’s progress slower and slower, and the summit of the Peak drawing nearer and nearer.  Miss Keane and Tom had got ahead of the waggon, and were the first to reach the top.  At last Billy, with a great pull, brought the waggon to the level ground, and then stood still.  They all alighted, and, forming a little circle, stood drinking in the beauty of the scene.  Wondering how Tom would be affected, Miss Keane turned to speak to him, but he had gone; and looking round, she saw him standing by a huge boulder, but his face was turned away, and understanding why he felt it best to be alone for a few minutes, she did not venture to disturb him.  It was a panorama of wonderful beauty.  They seemed to stand up among the clouds, the air was so pure and cool and bracing.  Far beneath, the houses of the town looked like a tiny ant-nest, enveloped in a filmy haze.  The great plain stretched around for miles and miles, dotted here and there by many a pretty homestead, and intersected by the winding river, glinting and glistening in the sun as it hurried on and on to join the far-off sea.  Far across the plain the smoke of distant cities obscured the horizon, but none of the noise or bustle was borne on the breeze to this lonely mountain peak.  A great silence fell upon the little company, and some bright eyes grew dim as they looked upon the beauty of the world the great Creator had made.

“Just say a few words of prayer, Frank,” said the judge at length, in a soft voice; “it will do us all good, I think.”  Mr. Goldthwaite took off his hat reverently.

“Our Father, we thank thee for this day.  We thank thee for sparing us all to come here again; and for the sunshine, and the beauty, and the gladness of the earth.  Help us more and more to feel the power and majesty of thy hand, and the great love of thy infinite heart.  Be with every one of us to-day, blessing us as only thou canst bless, and help us to live to thy glory; for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.”

“Amen,” repeated Judge Keane.  “Now we can begin the day with a better heart than ever.”

IX.

A day to be remembered.