She went back to the kitchen, where she found the children making merry with their new possessions.

The 'baby,' as they still called Willy, sat flat on the floor, in the midst of his treasures; and, with an air of ineffable satisfaction, consumed a stick of candy, while one hand grasped a stout wooden cart, whose wooden horses stood rampant under his inexperienced direction. Horace was near, arrayed in a new pair of trowsers; his hands were plunged into the depths of his pockets, where they jingled certain bright coins just discovered there. He looked still like a littlo king, as he used to do in his babyhood; and quite conscious of the dignity even majesty itself might be pardoned for seeking in new browsers and real boots. His two elder brethren danced about him, similarly arrayed, while Tom went into silent raptures over his share of the spoils, and wondered what Fred. Hays would say when he saw him come into meeting next Sunday! John was lost in thought; a complete sot of tools had made him feel both rich and responsible. Such tools were not to be found every day, A boy who owned a treasure so valuable ought to be a sober industrious fellow, invent something remarkable, and immortalize himself! Every one was pleased. Every

one had just what he or she wanted. Even Lucy went into raptures when she found the little simple clock, which she knew was of trifling expense, yet would be just as useful to herself as the most costly watch, as well as far more suitable in her circumstances. The combination of a great gift with a smaller one, is often happy. Thus the Grants, while weighed down under the sense of obligation, found it now. The box seemed to make the acceptance of the old note easier. The philosophy of this is simple. The smaller gift says: 'Love and good-will were not exhausted in the greater favor. I come to prove it!'

Amid the joy and excitement of this day, Lucy's fears concerning Arthur were lulled to rest. He was in fine spirits during the whole evening; one of his cheeks was brilliant with apparent health, and the cough, as he sat by the fire-side, sounded less ominous.

"It may be nothing more than such a cough as I had," she thought. But as she listened to it as she lay in bed, it struck her more painfully. She rose and went down as softly as possible, in search of some simple remedies that were always kept on hand, and in entering the kitchen for a candle, she awoke her mother.

"Is any thing the matter?" she asked.

"Arthur coughs a good deal; I thought I would get something for him," she answered.

"He has said nothing about it," said the voice, now more anxiously.

"I think this will relieve him," said Lucy, as cheerfully as possible. "I'm so sorry you've waked up! I thought I could creep in softly without disturbing you."

"If he coughs badly, we must have Dr. White see about it," said her father.

"You know I got nicely over mine," said Lucy. "Yes, she did," said her mother, as Lucy retired. “I dare say this is just such a cough as hers was."

Lucy crept up to Arthur: his candle was burning; he almost sat up in bed, there were so many pillows behind him. He looked up with his usual pleasant smile, and said,

"Now you've caught me reading in bed !" "It is one o'clock !" she answered.

"Yes, I dare say. But I sleep best towards morning. What's that?"

"Only a cough-mixture; come, take a teaspoonful." "To please you, I will. Especially if you won't tell mother I read in bed !" he said, playfully. The smile and the jest did not deceive her this time She went back to her room, and lay awake all night listening to the cough.

A SHADOW.

"OH, Hatty! what spirits you are in !" said Lucy, as, arrayed in some of her sister's city garments, Hatty came dancing into her room early the next morning.

"There! isn't that a perfect fit?" said Hatty. "One would think the dress was made for me!"

"You may have it and welcome,” replied Lucy. "I meant you should have some of my dresses. But, Hatty, how you do fly about!"

"Well, it is enough to make one fly, to see how cheerful father is looking. And I can tell you, such presents as came yesterday won't come every day in

"No, indeed, I hope not," said Lucy.

"Oh, Lucy! do put away that matronly air. It is not becoming to you at all. You and mother seem to think it a sin to smile."

"Oh, Hatty!"

"Well, you try to keep me from smiling, at any rate. Now, what harm is there in my 'flying about,' as you call it ?"

'None, dear Hatty. It does me good to see you happy. Only sometimes I look forward to the time when you will have real troubles, and then I long so to give you something that is even better than mere good spirits-something to lean on when they fail."

"We should not borrow trouble," said Hatty.

“No; but there is no harm in borrowing sunshine, if it will make a gloomy future less gloomy. Indeed, dear Hatty, I hope your evil day is far off; and I would not alarm you now, if I could help it. But I must speak to some one, and I dare not excite mother's fears until I have consulted you. Ever since I came home, I have noticed how extravagantly fond you are of Arthur; as indeed we all are. He is certainly a remarkable boy!"

And

"That he is indeed!" returned Hatty. "His teacher says he is the finest boy in school. you have not the least idea how he has appeared while have been you

gone.

So kind to all the child

ren; so affectionate towards mother! She often

has spoken of it, and said Arthur would be the stay and staff of her old age."