Generally in the evening, he came and talked with them for a couple of hours, listening to their accounts of the day's labors, and reading to them some interesting matter. He was taking care of his Master's cause among these poor forsaken children, and God was taking care of his. Did he doubt it? No--not for one moment. Time sped on; by degrees, the number of boys increased; they were gaining confidence in their kind friends. Roland took up his abode among these waifs of humanity. Many trials beset his path, many discouragements; for the deep depravity of a whole life, short though it might have been of these juvenile transgressors, was not to be rooted out in a day, a week, or even a year. Habit was a strong giant that required the strong antagonism of stalwart efforts; and blow after blow must be levelled against the monster in the strength of Gospel warfare, ere he would show signs of yielding to the attacks. But Roland's manliness and benevolence were really undermining the citadel of sin, and in a few months he began to see the fruit of their labors. About fifty boys were now inmates of the Home; they were cleanly, interested in their mental improvement, regular in their attendance upon Gospel ministrations every Sunday; and although, now and then, their hopes were disappointed by the absconding of several, still their progress was onward. Let us turn for one moment to Mr. Thornly. From the day that Roland left the office, Edgar's spirits drooped. Helen watched him closely; her room was adjoining his; and often, late in the night, she could hear him pacing his room, and groaning, as if in great distress of mind. Once she opened the door--Edgar was tossing about, and talking in his sleep. "Go away, Jones," muttered the youth, "I can't get the money; two hundred dollars! two hundred dollars!" Helen's heart sank within her. She had sore misgivings about her brother, but what was she to do? Could she accuse him without farther proof? Could she bear to see Roland suffering so wrongfully? Still her brother continued his late hours; seldom in before one or two o'clock in the morning. Every few days, a man would call to see him; and Edgar always appeared gloomy and distressed after these visits. Several times he was out; and when Helen asked the name of the person who called so frequently, she found to her grief that it was Jones. At last, he asked to see Mr. Thornly; then came the dreadful disclosure. Edgar had been gambling to a large amount, and was indebted to this man several thousand dollars. Mr. Thornly was horror-struck; Edgar bowed down to the dust in shame; Helen overpowered with grief. "It has come at last, brother. I knew that some dreadful grief was approaching--but is there not something worse than all, that is not yet revealed?" Edgar turned his blood-shot eyes upon his sister. "What do you mean, Helen? Do you mean to crush me entirely?"