"My friend, Roland Bruce, mother, my sister, Miss Norris," and Roland bowed to a very pleasant looking middle aged lady, and an interesting young girl, in the person of Jessie Norris. "We are glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bruce," replied the mother, at the same time extending her hand; "this is a meeting that I have long desired." The summer passed rapidly, and the party separated for their respective destinations. Edmund would not hear of Roland's return on foot, consequently they travelled together to the point nearest Woodcliff, and there they parted, mutually pleased; Edmund to his home, and Roland back to Woodcliff, to pay a short parting visit to Effie. "We shall meet at college, Roland," said Edmund. "Yes, and it must be a hard working year; I can only go two terms after this." Another week near Woodcliff, and Roland prepared for toil again. "I have come, dear Effie, to say farewell for awhile," aid Roland. "I have brought you some beautiful ferns and mosses, and when I come again, I will expect to see the basket." "I can make two, Roland, one for each window in the drawing room; Madeline will be so pleased,--they are both for her." "Come, Effie, let us sing our mother's favorite hymn," and the orphans sang with sweet voices, and full hearts, "God of our fathers, by whose care, Thy people still are blest; Be with us through our pilgrimage, Conduct us to our rest." "Now, sister, let me go for one minute up the staircase; don't come with me, I want to be alone." Roland stood upon the landing, and listened to the sweet murmurs of the Eolian harp. The summer wind swept lightly over the strings, and seemed to sigh, "farewell, farewell;" but for a moment, a stronger breeze swept over them, and higher, fuller arose the aerial music, and "aloft, aloft" they whispered. He descended with a smile, and said, "Now, dear Effie, I am ready; God forever bless my darling sister; don't forget 'Looking aloft! Looking aloft.'" She smiled through her tears, and said, "I'll try, dear Roland, but I am not so strong as you." Back again on the first day of the term, Roland was warmly welcomed by the faculty. He returned bravely, cheerfully, to his self-imposed service of drudgery; but the presence of many new members subjected him again to the same ordeal through which he had passed the first half of the former year. The same diligence and fidelity, the same faithful friendship for Edmund, the same honors at the close, marked the second year; and at the period of vacation, another visit to dear Effie, to the familiar spots around Woodcliff, and he was anticipating a return for the last year to finish his college course.