let me look on thee while I may, and call thee by't dear owd name !"

It was a happy thing for Laura that she had learned to endure sorrow patiently, for they who can most bravely bear the troubles of life, are ever the fittest to enjoy meekly the sunshine of prosperity. Strength from above is equally needed for both conditions, and Laura, early led to seek that strength in a right spirit, had not sought in vain. She had long earnestly desired to see some evidence in Robert's character that he was a partaker of "like precious faith," and was not without hope that her prayers for him had been answered. But until this time his reserve on the subject had disheartened her, and so long as she regarded him as her father, she had shrunk from making a direct appeal to him; but now her feelings were changed towards him. The long course of deception in which he had lived, and the fact that there was no real relationship between him and herself, wrought a revolution in her mind that surprised her. She was astonished, yet thankful, to find that what she had hitherto regarded as filial love, easily took the more appropriate form of friendly interest in Robert's welfare, and desire for his true happiness. That happiness could, she knew, be secured only by the repentance and faith of which the gospel speaks, and with trembling earnestness she now sought to lead him to the Saviour. She spent most of her time in his chamber, and read often to him from the Word of

Life. To this he listened reverently, and Laura, more than once, saw the tears stream from his eyes as she spoke to him of Jesus.

Within a few days, almost sooner than she expected, Laura received a letter announcing William's return. He expected to be with her a few hours after her receipt of his letter, but thought it better to give her some intimation of the state of affairs at Fairfield.

"Your mother," he wrote, "for, dearest, doubt not she is your mother, is almost beside herself with joy, which is, however, mercifully mingled with a wholesome fear that the news is too good to be true. But for this fear I really believe the joy would have been "too many" for her, as Robert would say, though the facts were imparted with all possible caution. Your brother Frank dances, hurra's, and, I am sorry to add, drinks wine to shew his delight. Imagine how they are longing to see you; and I have told them you are already mine; that you were mine before you knew of your high connections, and that your good fortune will not make you repent your choice !"

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Repent!" thought Laura, "I would give up even this great happiness, and lose it for ever, rather than part from you, William."

"The handwriting," William went on to say, "Mrs. Hamer pronounces to be like her husband's. Indeed, we compared the signature with that of some of his letters, and found a perfect resemblance. But she says

the sight of you will decide her at once. She feels certain it will, and no time is to be lost in bringing her and you together.

Many more particulars were communicated by William on his arrival that evening, and it was settled that, on the least favourable change in Robert's condition, Laura should arrange matters so as to leave him for a few days, and, accompanied by William, proceed on her momentous errand to Yorkshire. It was, however her anxious desire to return soon, whatever might be the result of her interview with Mrs. Hamer, to make a final settlement with Robert as to his future place of abode, and other matters which the loss of his daughter" would involve.

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"I shall never lose sight of him, William," said Laura, rather sadly, "even if I am Miss Hamer. I cannot forget all his tender care of me, and that he was the means of saving my life, however blamable he may appear."

When Robert knew the result of William's journey, he merely said, though his now worn features worked with emotion,

"It's all reight. He's takin my idol thro' me that I may love him the moore. Thank God for her happi

ness!"

Some days passed, but there was no improvement in Robert. Further medical advice was sought but it only confirmed the evidence that he was sinking rapidly.

So William, at Laura's earnest request, wrote to Mrs. Hamer stating the circumstances in which they were placed, and the conviction they both felt that a few days more would decide the fate of the poor man whose lot had been so strangely connected with that of her child.

About a week from that time a simple funeral might be seen moving along the quiet street where William had spent so many happy hours in Laura's society, and from whence he now followed the remains of Robert Turner to their last resting-place. With forgiveness in her heart, and tears of affectionate regret in her eyes, Laura had looked her last upon the lifeless form of him who had been her deliverer and protector when no other earthly friend was near.

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CHAPTER XII.

FRANK'S BIRTHDAY PARTY.

Hail, social life! into thy pleasing bounds
Again I come, to pay the common stock
My share of service, and, in glad return,
To taste thy comforts, thy protected joys.

THOMSON.

T will now be necessary to look back once more, if we wish to see how things have progressed among our friends in Newburn.

Harry Mills had come home at the same time as Frank. On arriving at Newburn they had parted with the assurance, on both sides, that a friendly intercourse should be kept up between them. Harry did not tell Frank that Frederick Kelly, Esq., was to honour Runley House with a visit, or perhaps the invitation to Fairfield would have been less cordially given. It was. therefore, with no little mortification that Frank, on welcoming his friend to his mother's home, a few evenings after, found that he was accompanied by that gentleman.

"I have taken the liberty to bring our mutual friend," said Harry, as he shook hands with Frank. "He is on a short visit at Runley by way of change."