After All.

peop le expected more from him than from the preacher , ancl at the end of the service , instead of the worshippers rising to depart as usual , they stood still as though all ivas yet to come , and it did come . Greater than ever was the success attending his march , ancl he was flattered more than his heart ' s content . Ho knew that night that his services for the future ivould be worth fift y pounds per annum . They were so pleased with him and afraid that others

should engage his services , that they could not help voluntarily offering him this increase , and telling him there and then . As to the audience , never was one so moved ! all the eloquence of the learned divines who had preached for them had never touched their hearts as the music of that night . His continuance there would be the success of the churchancl that would ultimately be his success . He saw thisancl his hopes

, , rose accordingly . That was , indeed , a red-letter day for him , but not marked so red in his mental calendar as his interview with Olivia . He could not analyse the fact why so much of his fate should depend on this beautiful girl ; were there not many more like her ? " No ; " he ivould answer himself , " notto him , " ancl yet he knew not why . He only knew that she was everything to him ancl that he could not do without her , even after the little he had seen of her .

Although he knew it was romantic , yet in his " heart of hearts " ho would not have it otherwise . Was it the hand of Fate that guided him there , and was he sport for the gods ? But he dismissed these idle thoughts from his mind , ancl determined , with the encouragement he had received fresh on his memory , that come what might he would work his own destiny , bravelyproudlytaking advantage

, , of the present ancl not peeving too far into the troublous ancl deceptive future . " Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof . " Had Arthur known what awaited him on the morrow , the whole tenour of his thoughts would have been changed . But the future is kindly veiled from us , or many of us would never have the courage to face it .

When he arrived at the office m the morning , Merrisslope and Becltaper were again loud in their congratulations . Arthur Humberton was now a decided genius in their opinion , and they looked up to him with more than their former respect . He had achieved marvels ancl must be honoured for it . His happiness was not to last long , however . Mr . Phane had not been in the office long before the whistle shrieked , and Arthur Humberton was summoned , He seemed to imagine it was for something more than ordinary , and his heart beat quickly as he ascended to his master ' s room . Mr . Phane , though he had a quiet and determined look about him , seemed nervous and excited , and Arthur knew not what was

coming . " I want to have a little conversation with you , " said Mr . Phane . " Yes , sir . " "In connection with your clever performance of yesterday , and my daughter ' s consequent indisposition . " " Is she not bettor yef , sir ? " asked Arthur , concernedly . " Yes , she has almost recovered ; but from her manner I found out

thatin fact—that you have been secretly writing letters to her ancl other tomfoolery , ancl—no , it ' s no use saying , anything—it must cease , " said Mr . Phane , decisively . " But , sir , your daughter is willing " began Arthur excitedly . " She is no longer so ; and beside , she is a minor , and you are both too young to know your minds . " " Do you doubt my honourable intentions ? " demanded Arthurwarml

, y . " Oh , no ; but , as I said before , yon must think no more of her . " " But I can't hel p it ; she ' s my life , my soul , " burst out Humberton . " Bah ! bosh and nonsense ; don't talk like that to me , sir . I tell yon she ' s nothing to you , any way , at present , " said his employer , UOAV getting angry . Y ° 2