Ester Ried

nded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either th

to breakfast, Ester dear, or

py bewilderment, raising herself on

gh "Did you suppose that people in New

ed so queerly to hear any one talk to her about getting up to breakfast; it ha

et up at once. Have I k

at nine, but mother gave orders last night

k in the dining-room and kitchen must all be done by this time, and Sadie was probably making beds. Poor Sadie! What a time she would have! "She will learn a little about life while

though she knew perfectly well how to make her own toilet

for a little," Abbie s

bl

r Bible? I suppose y

ooked a

dly. "I packed in such haste, you see, an

n your Bible that nobody else understands? I have a great habit of reading in that way.

ld read a chapter in the Bible now, and should enjoy it quite as much as Abbie did. She had never learned that happy little habit of having a much-used, much-worn, much-loved Bible for her own personal and private use; full of pencil marks and sacred meanings, grown dear from association, and teeming with memories of precious communings. She had one, of course-a nice, proper-looking Bible-and if it chanced to be convenient when she was ready to read, she used it; if not, she took Sadie's, or picked up Julia's from under the table, or the old one on a shelf in the corner, with one cover and part of Revelation missing-it mattered not one whit to her which-for there were no pencil marks, and no leaves turned down, and no special verses to find. She thought the idea of marking certain verses an excellent one, and deciding to commence doing so at once, cast about her for a pencil. There was one on the round table, by the other window; but

t small and round, and covered with damask nor drink coffee that had not first flowed gracefully down from a silver urn. As for Aunt Helen, she

y, becoming conscious that there were onl

answered. "He is a business-man, you

e go withou

n, instead of nine,

ving the bewildered look of this novice in city-life. "But it is one of Abbie's recent whims that she can make

augh rang out m

, I beg of you, insult

ht at seven o'clock

s at seven o'clock?" w

am to make father as comfortable at home as he would

tinued Aunt Helen in a disgusted tone, "in order that

s good-humored reply. "My toast is never burnt, an

k and tone. "If Mr. Foster fails in business soon, as I presume he will, judging from his present rat

t deepening of the pink on her cheek, as she answered in the brightest of tones: "If I do, moth

ee will, arose early every morning, and busied herself over preparations for her father's breakfast; the other, that Abbie's mother said some disagr

es, that when she and Abbie were alone a

at home for your father,

melike; besides, Ester, it is my one hour of opportunity with my father. I almost never see him alone at any other time,

made to this, so Ester tu

er mean by her refer

on too large a scale to be prudent. But he is a ver

to have her speak in t

, after a moment's hesitation, she answered gently: "I thin

yway. This new strange cousin of he

a sense of freedom-of doing exactly what she pleased, and indeed of doing nothing; this last was an experience so new and strange to her, that it seemed delightful. Ester's round of home duties had been so constant and pressing, the rebound wa

so much harder than usual, in order that she might sit here at ease. At last she decided to dismiss every one of these uncomfortable thoughts, to forget that she had ever spent an hour of her life in a miserable, hot kitchen, but to give herself entirely and unreservedly to the charmed

quired of Abbie as they came up toget

you are not too tired to go out with

xperienced the meaning of that word," said Ester b

. It is like a family-rather a large family, perhaps you think-but it doesn't seem so when we come on Sabbath, from the great congregation, and gather in our dear little chapel-we seem like a com

out of the habit of regularly attending, that now she scarcely ever gave it a thought. But she had sufficient conscience left to be ash

ssed it last evening because I wanted to welco

enings a week to reli

it splendid? I appreciate my privileges, I

ople would not"

David, whom Abbie called her body-guard, for escort, made their way to Abbie's dear lit

on of surprises to Ester, commencing with the le

ery man who spoke to me

at this information; and Ester looked

oned girl I told you about, sitting

and whispering back, "is Fan

ter from the rows of young men who were rapid

rding him curiously; and as if to reward her penetration he rose suddenly and c

We want to sing this hymn, and have not th

y, and with a little hesitation.

said, smiling and r

ster thought all ministers selected for public reading, this reader read just three verses, and he did not even rise from his seat to do it, nor use the pulpit Bible, but read from a bit of a book w

briskly, "before we pra

d concluded the sentenc

class, who seems disposed to turn

bject for prayer

those things," another gentleman said, speaking quickly,

Fanny in the corner. A lady actually taking part in a prayer-meeting when gentlemen were present! How very improper. She glanced around her ner

ns which we bring. Turn to thyself the heart of the lad who ridicules the efforts of his teacher; lead the little brother into the strait and narrow way; gather that entire class into thy heart of love"-and thus for each separate request a separate petition; and as the meeting progressed it grew more strange every moment to Ester. Each one seemed to ha

ass has decid

r. "Don't let us forget this ite

ousin Abbie actually "spoken in meeting?" She was about to sink into a

ng, we shall take up the story-sing." And a soft, sweet chant stole through the room: "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as i

" Abbie asked in an eager tone

eve so; only it w

was it

r minister is exactly behind us, Abbie,

he turned and gave her hand to the minister, and then said in a demure and soft