There are times when, to a man, time is not, when the life of years is gathered into indefinite moments; and after, when outward things claim again the exhausted mind, he wonders that the day is not further spent.  And Trenholme wondered at the length of that afternoon, when he observed it again and saw that the sun had not yet sunk low, and as he measured the shadows that the bright trees cast athwart the moving water, he was led away to think the thoughts that had been his when he had so lightly come into those gay autumn bowers.  A swallow skimmed the wave with burnished wing; again he heard the breeze and the rapid current.  They were the same; the movement and music were the same; God was still with him; was he so base as to withhold the thanksgiving that had been checked half uttered in his heart by the spring of that couchant sorrow? Then in the sum of life’s blessings he had numbered that hope of his, and now he had seen the perfect fruition of that hope in joy.  It was not his own,—­but was it not much to know that God had made such joy, had given it to man?  Had he in love of God no honest praise to give for other men’s mercies? none for the joy of this man who was his brother?  Across the murmur of the river he spoke words so familiar that they came to clothe the thought—­

“We do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and—­loving kindness—­to us—­and to all men.”

And although, as he said them, his hand was clenched so that his fingers cut the palm, yet, because he gave thanks, Robert Trenholme was nearer than he knew to being a holy man.

THE END.

THE ONE GOOD GUEST.

A NOVEL.  By L.B.  Walford

Author of “Mr. Smith,” “The Baby’s Grandmother,” ETC., ETC. 12mo, Cloth,
Ornamental, $1.00.

“It is a delightful picture of life at an English estate, which is presided over by a young ‘Squire’ and his young sister.  Their experiences are cleverly told, and the complications which arise are amusing and interesting.  There are many humorous touches, too, which add no slight strength to the story.”—­BOSTON TIMES.

“A charming little social comedy, permeated with a refinement of spontaneous humor and brilliant with touches of shrewd and searching satire.”—­BOSTON BEACON.

“The story is bright, amusing, full of interest and incident, and the characters are admirably drawn.  Every reader will recognize a friend or acquaintance in some of the people here portrayed.  Every one will wish he could have been a guest at Duckhill Manor, and will hope that the author has more stories to tell.”—­PUBLIC OPINION.

“A natural, amusing, kindly tale, told with great skill.  The characters are delightfully human, the individuality well caught and preserved, the quaint humor lightens every page, and a simple delicacy and tenderness complete an excellent specimen of story telling.”—­PROVIDENCE JOURNAL.