"Oh, yes, Uncle 'Liph; I 've been to a better school than the Bible Seminary. I have n't got many religious rules and formulas, but I 'm trying to live straight and do what is right." The old man had paused with tears in his eyes. "I been a-prayin' fur you," he said. "So has Alice," replied the young man, "though I don't see why she needs to pray. She 's a prayer in herself. She has made me better by letting me love her. Come up, Uncle 'Liph. I want you to see her before we go on to my little place." They stopped before a quiet cottage, and Fred knocked. In the little parlour a girl came to them. She was little, not quite up to Fred's shoulder. His eyes shone as he looked down upon her brown head. There were lines about her mouth, as if she had known sorrow that had blossomed into sweetness. The young man took her hand. "Uncle 'Liph," he said, "this is Alice." She came forward with winning frankness, and took the old man's hand in hers. The tears stood in his eyes again. "This is Alice," he said; "this is Alice." Then his gaze travelled to Fred's glowing face, and, with a sob in his voice that was all for joy, he added, "Alice, I 'm glad you're a-livin'." THE END VOLUMES BY Paul Laurence Dunbar A poet who starts out by being handicapped by excessive praise suffers from it for a long time. This very thing happened to Paul Laurence Dunbar, who published some very promising poems. Just because he happened to be a negro, a vast amount of adulation was heaped upon him. He showed the right sort of stuff, however, by not having his head turned and by going to work. Since those first publications he has done much creditable work both in poetry and in prose. His poetry is of the very best and his prose work has fine value. He writes genuine dialect, and he goes in for fine sentiment. Mr. Dunbar's volumes are as follows: STORIES: THE FANATICS. 12mo, cloth, $1.50. FOLKS FROM DIXIE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, $1.25. THE UNCALLED. 12mo, cloth, $1.25. THE STRENGTH OF GIDEON. 12mo, cloth, illus., $1.25. THE LOVE OF LANDRY. 12mo, cloth, $1.25. POEMS: LYRICS OF LOWLY LIFE. 16mo, cloth, $1.25. LYRICS OF THE HEARTH-SIDE. 16mo, cloth, $1.25. POEMS OF CABIN AND FIELD. 8vo, cloth, illus., $1.50. * * * DODD, MEAD & COMPANY, _Publishers_ 372 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK _The_ AUTOBIOGRAPHY _of_ Mrs. OLIPHANT--1828-1897 Arranged and Edited by MRS. HARRY COGHILL _With two portraits, 8vo, cloth, $3.50_