wi'aht summat o' t' kind. If ah get agaate o' fancying He does, ah ses, "Lord, Thah sees, ah's a bit dahnhearted, sen' meh a token for good; an' it's suer to cum. This varrah morn ah were thinkin' abaht a little lass thaah call Matty.'

Matty smiled, with her eyes as well as her mouth, feeling that it was good to be with her mother, and longing to pour out her heart to her, though she was afraid that the confessor would be as inexorable as she was loving. While she busied herself in getting ready a scanty meal, sighing as she realized afresh the privations of her mother and sister, and her own inability to help them much out of her small wages, her mother kept up a perpetual flow of quiet talk. She had become since her affliction a great talker; but as hers was the right kind of talk, and a relief to the monotony of her life, who would wish to have had it otherwise? She had soon asked Matty after every one she knew in Leeds at last she bethought her of Mr. Stewart.

:

'Ah reckon he is mich as us'al, muther.'

'Mich as us'al! Ha long he is kept lingerin' on t' brink! Bud he doesn't knaw. Like as if t' Lord

gev

him t' sleeap o' forgetfulness to keeap him from bein' tired. Ah suddn't choose to go i' t' saame waah, bud t' Lord's waah's t' best.'

'Nah 'at ye've put things back, sit ye dahn wheer ah can see ye, Matty, an' tell meh all abaht ha' ye're gettin' on wi't' mester.'

The girl's opportunity had come, and little Emma was often a very convenient face-screen, especially as she fell asleep in her nurse's arms. Matty told all that had occurred to her within the last few weeks, and the good woman listened with a kind of pleased wonder upon her face, which soon gave way to one of fond solicitude.

'What a pity it seeams at it can't

be,' she said, 'but it's all orthered for t' best.'

'Bud mester's noan sich an a bad man,' said Matty, anxiously. 'He's thet kind to t' bairn an' meh!'

'Bud his heart's noan reeght wi' God, Matty. If tree isn't good, let t' fruit aloan.'

'Noa,' said Matty, 'bud efter all, muther, if ah hev to leeave him theer's bairn. No wun 'll set sich stoar by t' little gell as ah hev. Shoo's gettin' up now. Shoo'll tak' hardleh tul 't if shoo isn't well looked efter. Ah's sure ah thowt moor o't' bairn nor ah did o' mesen when t' mester axed meh.'

'Naah, naah, Matty! God'll tak' care o' little lass, as He did afoor iver shoo cum i' your waah. Shoo'll noan stan' for an excuse for bein' t' wife o' the scorner.'

'Bud, happen, wi' sich as meh God isn't that partic'lar,' said Matty, a sob rising in her throat, and her in eyes, spite of herself, overflowing. If ah were nobbut reeght mesen, it 'ud be different; bud, ye knaw, it isn't in meh, an' t' Lord doesn't seeam ti help meh when ah ax 'im. Ah'm that hard-hearted, ah've nauther faaith nor feelin'. Then wha sud ah turn ap my nose at a man like t' mester, an' tell 'im 'at he's noan good eniff for meh! Ony man ommust mud suin be that.'

'Matty!' said the good woman, 'Thaal braak my heart if ta talks i' that ans. My lass, luik at t' Saviour dyin' for thee. Wilt ta tell Him, "Lord, ah knaw Tha's bearin' this for me, bud ah doant believe Tha taks ony noatice o' meh, so ah'll go away, an' ah'll giv mysen to a man 'at despises Tha an' them 'as luvs Tha"? Couldst ta tell t' Saviour that, Matty?'

Noa, noa,' said Matty, bud ah've dun as bad wi'aht meeanin' it. O! muther, ah wish ah were like t' little gell here, wi' my life all afoor meh, or else 'at ah were one o' them little

birds, an' could sing, an' tak no thowt, an' die. Thinkin' maks meh miserable; an' now ah sall hev to leeave t' baby and t' mester; it's varrah hard.'

At that moment a shadow from the window fell upon the sanded floor. There was a light rap at the door. Matty hesitated, for her eyes were tell-tales, and the sleeping child was an excuse for a want of readiness to obey the summons; but her mother's quick Cum in' was sufficient, and to her consternation the visitor was the very Minister who had christened little Emma. 'Ah bud this is good of you, Sir,' said her mother, while Matty placed him a chair.

'Don't trouble,' he said; 'that is a heavy burden for you to move about with. So you have come to see your mother, and have brought the little girl with you? I wish that every forsaken child might find a friend so good.' Matty replied huskily that she did not know how anybody could be any other' to an infant; and discerning from her manner and appearance that something was troubling her, he considerately turned to her mother, and said, 'I am glad to find you up to-day, Martha.'

6

'Yis: I'se getten a bit of a holiday. Matty cum to meh wi'aht warnin' wi' that dear lamb o' her tendin', an' now you've cum, an' ah was fleared 'at ah sud hear you'd goan fra t' Circuit, an' ah sud niver see ye ony

moor.'

'O, I wouldn't be in Pudsey and not look in to see you, Martha, if it were only for the good you might do me.'

'Dear, dear, to talk i' that ans, an' ye one o't' Lord's labourers to watter ivery body. Ye weant get much aht o' my watterin' can.'

He smiled, but did not answer her. He asked after her eldest daughter, and said that he was glad to find the younger there.

'Ah wish, Sir, ye'd speeak to this lass o' mine,' said Martha, frankly. 'Shoo's allus got her yead i' sum sooart on a mist; an' ah doant knaw ha to talk tul her.'

'O, muther!' exclaimed Matty, in an injured tone.

'I should have thought, Martha,' said the Minister, 'that you could have talked to her best. If you are at a loss, I don't know what I am to say.'

'Ay, Sir, ye mey weell saay 'at ah can talk fast eniff, bud ah doan't allus hit on t' reeght woords, an' Matty wants talkin' ti' better nor ah can manage.'

'Well, what is the matter?'

'Nowt partic'lar, Sir,' answered Matty, sullenly, wishing that she could feel at liberty to run away.

But Martha, in her innocent garrulity, told the Minister how matters stood with her; and then, lowering her tones in a confidential manner, added, 'Shoo's unsattled ive her mind, because t' mester wants to wed her, but ah tell her shoo moant think o' that, not even for t' saake o't' little un. Shoo can't luik at t' hands 'at wur naahled ti t' cross for her, an then gooa an' give hers tul a man 'at saays in his heart, "Away wi' Him!""

6

O, muther, ye moant tell tales aht o' schoil,' expostulated Matty.

'An' why not?' said the mother. Happen t' Minister can help ye. If ye wur badleh, an' t' doctor cam', wadn't ah tell him on't?'

'Don't be afraid of me, Matty, I often hear little secrets. But I cannot be a better counsellor than your mother. You couldn't do the thing she says, could you?'

'Noa, sure, not nah 'at shoo's teld meh.'

'And you'll tell the master so?'

Noa, Sir, ah can't do that; bud ah'll tell him 'at ah moant hev a man wi'aht religion.'

'Ye may tell him that,' said Martha, 'an' saah 'at ah said so.'

'It is hard for you now,' said the Minister; but after all, Matty, isn't it sweet to have the chance of giving up something for Him Who gave Himself for us? We know that God accepts such sacrifices as tokens of our obedience; and the trial of our faith is "more precious than gold." The harder the wrench in giving up the object of our desire, the greater evidence is it of our earnestness, in choosing that good part which shall never be taken away from us.' But these words had not the effect the speaker intended. The cloud on the girl's face deepened, and, in default of words, she seemed by her manner to repel his sympathy.

Imagining this to be the result of timidity, and seeing her mother's anxiety respecting her, he continued to speak soothingly to her, every reassuring word giving a fresh stab to the sensibilities that recent incidents had quickened into life.

'O, doant, pleease!' she sobbed at last, with a quick catch in her breath. 'Ah cannot beear it. It isn't because ah'm on God's side 'at ah weant hev t'mester. I'se noa moor good i' meh, nor feelin' nauther, nor a stone. Bud bad as I am I daren't. Ah doant luv Christ as I owt, but I hevn't the heart t' choose t' mester istid o' Him.'

'Ye hear, Sir,' said Martha, not a little relieved. 'Shoo's allus talked i' that ans, if shoo's owt to saah abaht hersen, an' that's beean seldom eniff. Bud it isn't t' Lord's will shoo sud allus bea i' dark an' afar off, is it, Sir?'

'No, indeed; and she may be in the dark, yet not so far off as she thinks. What do you suppose is the reason, Matty, that you are not happy?'

Why, it's my hard heart, to be
said Matty, doggedly. 'Ah
feeal sorry eniff for
my sins, or
us eniff to hev 'em forgiven, an'
ckon I mun bide as I am. Ah'm

your unbelief? '

'Ay, Sir, varrah oft; bud weepin' an prayin' an' no answer is hard work.'

Ah, Matty! Matty! I begin to see where the mistake lies. You don't understand God.'

'Bud ah can I help mesen?' she asked, wearily.

'If you would let this little child teach you.'

'Hah could I put mesen i' her place naah?'

'Let me do it for you. What are your feelings towards that little one when she is hungry or tired or sick, or lies helpless and asleep in your arms, as she does now?'

Matty was conscious of a very earnest gaze fixed upon her face. She was not given to analyze her emotions, so she felt quite at a loss; but the Minister gave her time, and at last she said:

'Ay, but shoo's sich an a darlin'little thing wun couldn't help luving her.' 'And she never cries pettishly or gives you any trouble or tries you in any way?'

"Deed, Sir, shoo's niver long aht o' mischief, an' shoo's oftens that fractious.'

'Then how strange that you should be so fond of her; that you should comfort her when she cries, instead of letting her cry on, and that you should give her food when she is hungry.'

The girl saw the drift of this remark, but was by no means willing to make the application.

'If you thought that I meant what I said, Matty, you would be indignant; and yet in your own heart you are misrepresenting God just in the same

way. You are imagining that He prolongs your misery, and when you are hungering for Him gives you for bread a stone. If you would only believe that much more than all the love, pity and tenderness that you, being evil, feel for little Emma, your Heavenly Father feels for you! If Emma were your own child, and you the fondest mother that ever breathed, it would be impossible for you to love her with the love that God has for you.'

'Bud ah can't feeal it, an' niver do feeal it. Theer's them as hes to keeap on knockin'; an' ah tries, bud it isn't i'meh. I'se won o' that sooart.'

'Poor girl! you really are not seeking your salvation in Christ, but are looking at your own repentance and abasement, and are saying, "How long, Lord? how long?" meaning, "How long will it take to pacify Thee?" "

'Ay, ah does get aht o' paatience, though ah knaw it mun be my aun fawt,' said Matty, humbly. 'An' yit ef it is soa agean God's will, why doesn't He see meh putten reeght?

'It is hard for you to understand the love there is in that, I know, Matty. You can understand the love of a mother who spoils her child, much better than God's wise love that does not spare the rod. God afflicts your mother; but it is not her pain and sorrow that gives Him pleasure; it is the patience with which she bears it. And it is not your crying and your fear that God and the angels rejoice over, but the joy that you are now preparing to receive.'

'Ay, bud that's grand,' said Martha. 'Tha can see it nah, Matty, canstn't?'

Matty shook her head.

'God may for a time hide Himself to make you more earnest; but He will not long leave you without comfort. Christ is saving you every moment that you are looking to Him, Matty.'

'Ah, mony's the toime 'at I have looked; bud ah'm not saved!' exclaimed the girl, impulsively.

'Supposing, Matty, that I am displeased with one of my boys, and he hardens himself against my displeasure, so that I cannot righteously relent towards him; do you think that because of the estrangement I lose all affection for him?'

'Noa, Sir; it wadn't be like ye.' 'It would be much more like me than God, I assure you. Supposing after a time I see signs of softened feeling in him, but instead of hurrying on a reconciliation, I wait quietly and say nothing, is that because I am a hard-hearted, unnatural father?'

'Noa, ah reckon it's because he's noan sorry eniff,' said Matty, veering round to her old position, as if she felt a dreary satisfaction in finding that it was not untenable.

The Minister could not help smiling 'True, having been so obstinate it is well that his repentance should be thorough, his humiliation complete. I am glad, therefore, when I see a breaking down. I rejoice to have him come to me in shamefacedness and tears; but is it because his trouble is any pleasure to me?'

'Ah sud think not. It's because he's cumin' rahnd like, an' nah ye may mak matters up!'

"Yes, and you may be sure I should lose no time. But having taken him to my arms and put him on the old footing, and told him how fully I forgive him, suppose that the stupid little fellow refuses to be comforted; day after day he hangs down his head like a bulrush, and mopes about disconsolate, and at last, in spite of the most tender care, I find that he is fading away, consumed by his own remorse and unwillingness to believe in the sincerity and heartiness of my forgiving love, what would my feelings be?'

O! ah caan't saah; bud ah seem to see what you're tryin' to learn meh.'

Then I think you've had quite enough for one lesson. You must think of my words very often, and you must never do your Heavenly Father so much wrong as to put His love for you below yours for little Emma. And if you find that you can stay with the master, Matty, do let him see what a real Christian is, or, shall I say, a girl who is trying to be a Christian? Religion can do as much for you as for your mother, and will too, if you receive it as simply.'

In a few minutes the gentleman took his leave. Matty wanted to thank him, but her heart was too full. Martha saw in his visit a special providence, and most earnestly during the short time her child remained with her did she warn her against yielding to any temptation she might be under to change her mind when she returned to her place and her master. Indeed, Martha became feverishly anxious upon the subject, and described to Matty so many dreadful deaths of unbelievers that the girl was frightened and distressed for the man to whom she was bound by many kindly associations. But her mother promised her that she would pray for him more than ever, and Matty had confidence in her mother's prayers. Her holiday lasted over two days, then sorrowfully she took her leave. She had great dread of what the master might say to her rejection of him. But notwithstanding this, she took a lighter heart from Pudsey than she had brought thither.

Emma was in one of her merriest moods, amusing passers-by with her silvery prattle, and never did her winning ways bring a fresh, warm glow of love and tenderness to her in Matty's heart, but a sudden recollection flashed across her, making her say to herself, 'Ha wonderful 'at God sud luv meh i't' saame waah, nobbut si mich moor!' and she thought that if Christ saved her all

the time she was looking to Him, why then she would look to Him until she died. To get back to Leeds was plunging anew into the battle of life.

Nurse Wilson was arranging her voluminous white cap before the looking-glass; and Miss Lyddy, whom Time had not yet sobered, was rallying her for having forgotten it.

I don't know what you could have been dreaming of, said the young lady, for you know your cap's the best part of you.'

Ha! Miss Lyddy, I might as well leave it to you, and take myself off to somebody that'll think me better than my cap. But I've something to tell you, Miss Lyddy, that'll astonish you, so that you won't wonder that I forgot my cap.'

'Is it about your cousin? You've been to see him.' 'Yes.'

'Then he's going to be married?' 'Ah, but who to?'

'It wouldn't do to say; I wait to be informed.'

Why, Miss Lyddy, he's actually asked Matty, and she's gone to Pudsey to speak to her mother, as was only right.'

But suppose her mother objects? She is a very good woman, I've been told.'

'I don't believe he has reckoned on that. He feels sure of Matty, or he would never have told me.'

'Well, I don't know but that it might be a very good thing for both of them, if it were not for his principles.'

'I don't know whether she'll mind them,' said nurse; I shall ask her if she knows what she is doing, though, of course, I can't go far contrary to my cousin.'

Just then a servant entered and announced Matty, who had made up her mind to see nurse before she saw the master. The moment nurse