SAW beside an autumn lake Trace of a glad bird's flight; BIRDIE. But ah, 'twas marked in blood and grief, A cruel wire, a broken wing, Dead hopes for evermore, Nought for the pain of the joyous thing, I saw again, a couch of death, Whereon a dear child lay, And more than all, that childlike rest That leaning on her Saviour's breast, And fearing not the grave. Christ came for her on that same morn And when at night sad hands bare forth To lay her reverently to earth There was a new accord in Heaven, New gladness on the air, There was a burst of woe on earth, I thought me of that broken wing And blessed the Hand her flight that sped, To know sad heart nor aching head No cloud upon her childlike faith, ALESSIE BOND FAUSSETT. PART II. VALDEMAR'S GRATITUDE. IN THREE PARTS. ELL, Paulinka, has all been well in "There has nothing more happened than the trouble of lifting these heavy bolts you were at such pains to make," she answered, gaily. 'They are needed, Paulinka," returned the old man, sadly; "but this very day I have been insulted, and it might have been worse, had it not been for a youth who protected me. This shows what the times are like." "I have been somewhat unnerved to-day, honoured sir," he answered, "by some scoffing Polish peasants," and he related once more his adventure. He stopped abruptly, however, before he had mentioned the succour given him by Ladislaus, and exclaimed, “but such matters cannot interest you; will you, therefore condescend to tell your unworthy servant what you are pleased to require at his hands?" "On the contrary it seems to me a good joke," replied the other, with an unfeeling laugh. "Perhaps they thought they could improve your complexion! One would hardly have thought them in a humour for joking, though." "Tell me!" she exclaimed, with affectionate concern, "they used no violence? But how wet you are! No; tell me nothing yet. Come and let me get you some warm dry clothing." When this had been effected, Valdemar related to Jew, "but I will do so at once." his daughter what had happened to him. The old man took no notice of this rude remark, except by a slight redness in his sallow cheek, while his visitor continued, "But now to business." "At least there are some good people left!" she exclaimed; "that was a noble boy who protected you!" Just at this moment a loud knocking was heard at the house door, and Valdemar went himself to see who it was. "Why did you loiter so, old man?" asked the newcomer, with a haughty frown, as he strode, with clanking spurs, into the house. "I have not yet prepared the receipt," replied the "Not so fast, old usurer," replied the other, irritably. "I do not intend to pay you yet; I want some more money!" "As you will," replied the Jew, bowing humbly. "Well, let me have it at once then." "Does my honoured client believe I have enough money in the house?" answered the Jew, spreading out his hands with a gesture of astonishment. "I know well enough what that whine means," VALDEMAR'S GRATITUDE. replied the soldier, haughtily; "how much more interest shall I have to pay ? I must have a thousand rubles by this day month." "In truth, honoured sir, I have nothing approaching that sum in the house," replied Valdemar, obsequiously, "but I can procure it three or four days before that time." "Well, that will do," returned the soldier, "but if you do not keep your word, look to yourself, old man! It is a debt of honour, and no one can say that Colonel Borstakorff ever failed in meeting one yet." The Jew submissively assured his client that it should be ready, and then proceeded to draw out an agreement exacting exorbitant interest. Colonel Borstakorff having signed the deed, seemed disposed to become more condescending, and informed Valdemar that he might be able to clear off some of the old debt soon, as he hoped to secure a reward which had been offered for the head of a Polish gentleman who had been very active in the last insurrection. 607 When Ladislaus left Valdemar he had still twentyfour hours' hard riding before he could possibly reach home. His intention was to stop at a house where he was well known, at a distance of six hours' ride, and claim their hospitality for the night. As it was two hours past midday when he started, Ladislaus pushed briskly on. His way lay through one of the large forests so numerous in his country. The moon was shining brightly, and the dark trees with their snow-laden branches looked like gigantic "Three thousand rubles is the reward for the cap-ghosts with weird arms extended to warn the trature and execution of Henri Wrinolski!" he informed Valdemar. The old man interrupted him with a start and a hasty exclamation. "What is the matter?" asked Borstakorff. "It is a large sum," replied Valdemar, in his usual manner, "to a poor man like I am." 66 'Always at the tricks of your trade!" exclaimed his client, disdainfully, "why I alone owe you more than that." "I am pleased it is so," replied Valdemar, “as I know it is safe," with a cunning look; "but will you condescend to take a little refreshment under my roof?" "I think the interest you have extorted will pay for that," returned Borstakorff, laughing, "and as I must start directly on this business I will condescend so far." "I suppose this is a powerful noble, that the reward should be so high," he said, while Borstakorff swallowed his repast. Truly!" replied Valdemar. "You seem interested," remarked Borstakorff, curiously; "I suppose you do not forget your ducking this morning." "No, I do not!” replied the old man, so emphatically, that his visitor was quite surprised, it was so strange for a Jew to show any feeling. When his client had left, and Valdemar had returned to his daughter, he exclaimed, "I have heard what I am truly sorry to hear." "Come and eat something, and let us talk it over," she replied. veller not to try to penetrate too far into the obscure and sombre recesses of the wood. No such idea, however, entered the boy's head. He trotted on merrily enough, talking now and then to his horse, and thinking how grand the forest looked in its winter dress, and how hungry he was. Then he indulged in a pleasant anticipation of the hearty welcome and ready hospitality every Pole knows so well how to show. The wind had dropped, and there was not a sound, except the echo of his horse's hoofs. The bridlepath was so protected by overhanging branches that no snow had fallen upon it; so that any steps upon the hard frozen ground could easily be heard at some distance in the silence. Ladislaus was roused from his comfortable anticipations by the distant faint sound of hoofs, not of one or two horses, but of at least half a dozen. "Some of the tyrants coming to take up their quarters at Pan Brienski's," he said to himself, “I hope I shall not see them." An hour more and he had arrived at his journey's end. Throwing the bridle of his horse to a groom, he hastened to the principal entrance, where Pan Brienski, with true Polish hospitality, stood ready to receive him. After the usual salutations, and many affectionate inquiries after his family, Ladislaus followed his host to the dining-room, and was soon doing justice to the meal placed before him. Just as he was about to retire for the night the sound of an arrival was heard. Ladislaus had mentioned to his host the steps he had heard, and his suspicions concerning them; the event showed that they were too true. "If I may," he said, "I will go to my room at once, for I cannot meet those wretches calmly; I should lose all prudence, and perhaps place you in danger as well as myself." For some time after he had retired Ladislaus could not sleep, tired as he was, on account of the shouting and singing kept up by the soldiers. Overcome with fatigue, he had dropped off to sleep at last, in spite of the noise. About two hours had gone, when he was roused with a start, by hearing voices so clearly, that he almost thought for a moment that the owners of them were in his room. Sitting up, he listened for a minute or two, and recognised the tones of the soldiers. From the manner in which they stumbled about, and their thick utterance, it was evident that they had been drinking too much. He was just composing himself to sleep once more, languidly wondering how it was that he could hear so plainly, when a word struck upon his ear that effectually chased away all ideas of sleep. It was his father's name! From such lips it could bode no good. He sprang hastily to his feet, stumbling over a chair in his haste, but the occupants of the next room were too noisy and intoxicated to notice it. Proceeding more carefully, he felt his way to the spot from which the voices Round an angle of the wall there was a deep recess, in which there was a door into the next room. This door was standing open, and although there was a heavy baize curtain drawn across it inside the other room, so that it was concealed from the soldiers, yet they were speaking so loudly that Ladislaus could hear every word. came. "He'll never assist at another rebellion," said one voice. "Not if we get him," replied the other; he'll be quiet enough the day after to-morrow," with a coarse laugh. "Hush!" said the first speaker. "What's the matter?" inquired his companion, who seemed the more intoxicated of the two. The other made some reply in a low voice, and after a few minutes their loud heavy breathing assured the listener that they were fast asleep. He had been crouching at the door, almost afraid to breathe, for fear they should discover him. He now dressed hastily, and then stood for a moment thinking what to do. The first thing, of course, was to continue his journey home immediately. But how was he to get his horse without rousing the groom? and he did not know where the man slept. It must be done, for he might awaken some one else, going in the dark to seek him. Softly raising the curtain, he crept stealthily into the room, passed through it, and out at another door, which he knew must lead to the servants' staircase. In ten minutes more, which seemed like an hour to him, he had found his horse, harnessed him, and led him quietly into the road. Once out of hearing, he galloped off at his utmost speed. (To be concluded.) "THE QUIVER" BIBLE CLASS. 222. What proof have we that the writer of the epistles of St. Peter was the same as the apostle who was present at Our Lord's transfiguration? 223. Quote a passage which shows that it was customary to say “Amen” at the end of prayers in the services of the Church. 224. Who was it provided King Solomon with skilful men for the decoration of the Temple? 225. Where was the burying-place of Moses? 226. Quote a passage in which St. Paul acknowledges he was present at the death of St. Stephen. 227. What direction does St. Paul give as to the duty of Christians to provide for their brethren in need? 228. It is a common proverb among us that "Walls have ears." Quote a passage from the Bible which expresses the same idea. 229. What testimony have we as to the character of Joseph of Arimathea? ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON PAGE 576. 212. St. Paul (Rom. viii. 36). 213. Loss of oxen from the Sabeans; loss of sheep and servants by tire from heaven; loss of camels by Chaldeans; death of children from fall of house (Job i. 13-20). 214. The dispute occurred at Antioch, and arose from the circumstance that St. Peter and St. Barnabas refused to eat with the Gentile converts when some Jews were present from Jerusalem, although they had done so on former occasions (Gal. ii. 11-15). 215. St. Peter, in his epistle written some time after this, called St. Paul "our beloved brother" (2 Peter iii. 15). |