Jerrie responds by coming nearer, stooping, embracing the rocking chair, with the mother and child, and exclaims: "Betty, when we were courting I liked thee very much, and I wanted to have thee for my wife because I thought it would be so nice for both of us, and I thought as much of my own happiness as thine—perhaps more of my happiness than thine—but now, Betty, I love thee without thinking of myself. I do everything to please thee for thy sake; aye, and, lass, there's not another woman in all th' world I could love as I love thee ; and, moreover, to my mind thou art sweet, and beautiful, and lovely, and "

She puts her hand over his mouth, and, blushing with delight, cries : " Oh, Jerrie, lam the happiest girl in th' parish. Thy unselfish love makes me wish to love God the more. Mow, Jerrie, kiss th' baby. It's our very own child; isn't it, Jerrie?" The big ploughman kneels and steadies himself to gently.kiss the forehead of the babe, and wakes the little creature, who smiles at him, and he exclaims : "Oh, how good God is to give us this little child !"

" Now, Jerrie, open th' door to let the company know they are expected. And, Jerrie, just let me see in th' glass again. Wheu thah was kissing me I think my cap was pushed on one side." " Why, Betty, lass, it looks better on one side—more saucy like. Let me hold th' child while thah does it properly." Mr and Mrs Farmer Strapps arrive. He doe 3 not look any older than the day when he married Marielle, while she has grown stouter, and, though thirty years of age, looks scarcely twenty-one. They have one daughter, Hazel, a tall girl of ten years, with rounded limbs, golden wavy hair, dark blue eyes, cherry-colored lips, and she is so full of health of body and joy of mind as to resemble a living psalm. 