had seen abroad, and in lounging listlessly by a window which overlooked the town, and also commanded a view of the tasteful cottage by the riverside, where they told him Mrs. Johnson lived. O

ked, rather indifferently, with his e

d then the doctor knew he had caught a glimpse of Alice Johnso

harm which will sometimes make an ugly face beautiful. The doctor was beginning to feel the need of funds, and now that Lily was dead, the thought had more than once crossed his mind that to set himself at once to the task of finding a wealthy wife was a duty he owed himself and his family. Had poor, deserted Lily lived; had he found her in New York, h

arriage as it wound down the hill, thinking first how pleasant and homelike the Sabbath bells must sound to Charlie this day, and secondly, how handsome and stylish her young brother looked with his Parisian cloak and ca

y cathedral he had been in the habit of attending in Paris, and a feeling of disgust and contempt was creeping over him, when a soft rustling of silk, and a consciousness of a delicate perfume, which he at once recognized as aristocratic, warned him that somebody was coming; somebody entirely different from the score of females who had distributed them

the hands which had so won the doctor's admiration. What a little creature she was, scarcely larger than a child twelve summers old, and how gloriously beautiful were the curls

e had a slight turn up, and the forehead was not very high; but for all this, the glossy hair, the dancing blue eyes, the apple-blossom complexion, and the rosebud mouth made ample amends; and Dr. Richards saw no fault in that witching face, flashing its blue eyes for an instant upon him, and then modestly turning to the service just commencing. So absorbed was Dr. Richards as not to notice that the strain of music filling the old church did not

other turned to the eagerly expectant doctor,

ment. He could not be as irreverent and thoughtless as he had been represented by those who did not like him; he must have changed during his absence, and she frankly offered him her

m sure," she continued, and the sweet blue eyes sought his fo

village as New England could boast, and he meant to enjoy it for a while. It would be a relief after the busy life he had led, and was just the change he needed! So, in answer to Alice's remark, he said he should probably remain at home some time, that he always found it rather pleasant at Snowdon, though as a boy he had, he supposed, often chafed at it

ries, "Ah, here comes my youngest-my pet," and Alice stooped to caress a litt

re of impatience, turned to go, just as his ear caught another kiss, an

elf at their side. "But does not Miss Johnson display strange taste? Surely some other one less refined might be found to look after those brats,

Hill, they met a stylish little covered sleigh. The colored driver politel

ora. "In the winter Martin always takes A

wo miles out of their way to carry home some old woman or little child, who lives at a distance. I've seen Alice mys

id: "It is like what Lily would have done

ftly. "I need not ask though, for of course she was. I should almost

concerning Mr. Howard and Alice. There can't be

"She respects him greatly, how

ry strong church

d be divested of much of its supposed gloom. She shows it everywhere, and so does not have to w

I tell you, Anna, those ragged, dirty urchins who came trooping into that damask-cushion

not explain lucidly, so she did not attempt it. She only said Miss Alice was very benevolent

retend to be interested in those ragamu

ly, after which a long silence ensued, and Anna dropped away to sleep, while her brother

erested in those ragged children; he could encourage Sunday schools; he could attend church as regularly as Alice herself; and, better yet, he could doctor the poor for nothing, as that was sure to tell, and he would do it, too, if necessary. This was the finale which he reached at last by a series of arguments pro and con, and when it was reached, he was anxious to commence the task at once. He presumed he could love Alice Johnson; she w

hards exclaimed as the doctor threw aside the bo

better than I expected, that I think I'll go again," a

d the mother, who had risen and stood watc

e felt would ensue when he moved up the aisle. At last he would wait no longer, and with a most deferential manner, as if asking pardon for disturbing the congregation, he walked

off a foot or more, and found her a little, odd, old woman, shriveled and withered, with velvet hat, not of the latest style, its well-kept strings of black vastly different from the glossy blue he had so much admired at an earlier period of the day. Was ever man more disappointed? Who was she, the old witch, for so he mentally

She sang those words as if she felt them every one, and Dr. Richards' heart thrilled with an indefinable emotion us he listened. "Thou that sittest on the right hand of God the Father;" how rich and full her voice as

back, the wealth of sunny hair, or the lustrous eyes, which swept for an instant over the congregation below, taking in him with the rest, and then were dropped upon the keys, where the snowy, ungloved hands were straying. The organist was Alice Johnson! There were no more regrets now that he had come to church, no more longings to be away, no more maledictions against Mr.

she came tripping down the stairs, flooding

bowing her way through the crowd, and who at last came to a standstill, apparently looking for something she c

an attache of some kind to Alice Johnson, Densie was an object of importance, and stepping forward, just as

ce said, as the black kid was foun

eye saw at once that however Alice might auntie her, the woman

l," adding, in an aside to him: "My old nurse, who too

or now, and the covered slei

arriage steps, and so the doctor was fain to he

re beauty

owed Densie Densmore, the doctor carefully wrapping her cloak about h

n the blue eyes flashing on him. "At least I found it so on my walk to church," and w

me then by accepting a seat in our sleigh. Th

agreeable, talking about the singing, asking if

ce a most superb affair, but I believe it is sadly out of tune. Anna is very fond of you, Miss Johnson, and your visits would benefit her greatly. I assure you there's a duty of charity to

ot suspect him and she answered frankly that she should have visited Terrace Hill more frequently, had she suppos