THANKFUL REST. A Tale. By ANNIE S. SWAN. Author of "Aldersyde," "Carlowrie" "Shadowed" &c. &c. There is no road, though rough and steep, Without an end at last, And every rock upon the way By patience can be passed. There are few human hearts too hard For gentleness to win; Somewhere a hidden chink appears Where love may enter in. 1889 CONTENTS I. UNWELCOME NEWS. II. THE PARSONAGE. III. THE ARRIVAL. IV. THE NEW HOME. V. SUNDAY. VI. LOSING HOLD OF THE BRIDLE. VII. THE RED HOUSE. VIII. UP THE PEAK. IX. A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED. X. ON THE LAKE. XI. HOPES FULFILLED. XII. WEARY DAYS. XIII. LUCY FINDS THE KEY. XIV. A GREAT CHANGE. XV. THE WEDDING. XVI. FIVE YEARS AFTER. THANKFUL REST. I. UNWELCOME NEWS. It was the prettiest homestead in all the township, everybody said, and it had the prettiest name. It stood a mile or so beyond Pendlepoint on the farther side of the river, from which it was separated by a broad meadow, where in the summer time the sleek kine stood udder-deep in cowslips and clover. It was a long, low, comfortable-looking house, hidden by lovely creeping plants, and sheltered at the back by the old elm trees in the paddock, and at the front by the apple trees in the orchard. Perhaps it was because it had such a snug, cosy, restful look about it that it had been queerly christened Thankful Rest. The land adjoining the homestead was rich and fertile, and brought in every year a crop worth a goodly competence to its possessors. The family at Thankful Rest consisted of two people--Joshua Strong and his sister Hepzibah. You are to make their acquaintance immediately, but a remark made once by old Reuben Waters, their next neighbour, may perhaps give you an idea of their characters better than any long description of mine:---- "For crankiness and nearness, and unneighbourly sourness, give me Josh Strong and his sister Hepsy. They can't be equalled, I bet, in all Connecticut."