Mr. Weston was deliehted: He bad
far less tear than the trembling aspirant
that he would be successful, aud readilv
proffered his aid in the laborious task of
writing and correcting. So the two
worked steadily on, While Ethel and-
ner mother little dreamed of the ambi
tious scheme entertained by those so
near them. , -"
Though Howard had the general plan
and scope of bis work already sketched,
it took two years to finish it for the
publishers. How hard it was to appear
indifferent during the time its accept
ance was pending he onlv knew ; but
he went bravely through the ordeal. If
it should not succeed, he asked himself
again and again, what was the use of
all these long vears of study ? But ah !
if it should if it should ! What a happy
competence it would provide for them
all, releasing his dear ones from all toil
and caret ,. ; ; " ' ; !: : i
And there were other and nearer
considerations that increased his anx
iety. ' Howard ' knew, although his
mother tried to conceal it, that she was
greatly straitened for want of means.
The summer had been an excessively
hot one. Day after day the scorching
sunlight fell on the parched earth, but
the bright beams brought no joy to the
hearts that were palpitating with hope
for a shower. Xo balmy wind brought
relief to the fevered brow of Ethel, as
she tossed on her little bed, her whole
frame wasting away under the fever
that burned in her veins; her thoughts
wandering back unconsciously to other
days.
