"Not exactly," laughing, "though she is as near as a daughter. She is the daughter of Mrs. Asbury's cousin, now deceased. Indeed she has lost both her parents, and we have adopted her. She calls us uncle and aunt." "I want Marion to come home quick, pa." Then, turning again to look in the face above her, Ethel said, "I'll let my Marion love you too." "A great piece of condescension on Ethel's part, Mr. Angus," added the mother, laughing heartily. "The little puss is extremely jealous in her affection for Marion, and scarce allows her cousin out of her sight for a moment when she is at home." "Does your niece not live at home, then?" "Oh, no, sir. She teaches music in Madame La Vergnes's Institute in New York; but, as her classes only occupy six hours a day, she has abundant time for her poor people." "It is against my wish," urged her uncle, "that she should stay away from home for so many months in a year." "But not contrary to your consent, pa," explained Annie. "You told her you wouldn't forbid it. So, Mr. Angus," she added, blushing at her own earnestness, "you musn't think our Marion naughty or obstinate. It was her duty she said, and so she went." "Ethel, I fear you will tire Mr. Angus, sitting in his lap so long." He pressed her tightly in his arms and waited to hear what she would say. "He's skeezing me, ma. I guess he isn't tired. Are you?" putting her hand softly on his cheek. He took the small hand in his, held it for a moment, asked, "At what time does your Sunday school commence?" put her hand to his lips as he said, rising, "We are friends from this time, Ethel. Good by for an hour or two," and left the room. "I like him ever so much," exclaimed Annie. "Aren't you glad now, pa, that he has come to be our minister?" Perhaps Mr. Asbury would have answered still more warmly could he have followed the pastor to his chamber and listened to the cry which went up from a full heart. "Is this a ray of light from thy throne, O my heavenly Father? May I not accept it as an answer to prayer for help,—as a token of thy loving care? O God, I bless thee!" Making his way from his chamber, he saw Ethel sitting on the lower stair waiting for him. "You may kiss me if you want to," she said, putting up her rosy lips. He caught her in his arms, kissed her again, the mother coming forward just in time to hear him say, "God bless you, precious child!" How warm his heart felt with this new glow. With his whole soul he received the loving confidence of this little one as a token of divine favor. God had accepted him and would bless his work among these people. Arriving at the chapel, the superintendent of the school came forward to meet him, with the request that, in the place of the usual exercises, he would address them. But Mr. Angus requested to be allowed to watch the workings of the school consenting, however, to talk to them at the end. "Is this your usual number?" he inquired, glancing over the room.