"Aunt Matilda, don't you want some plain sewing done?" said Maddy, as soon as she entered the house, for her little brain was teeming with plans of how she might do good to the Bruce family. "I think we do," was the answer. "I want some bed linen made up; our stock is getting low, and I was wondering whom I would get to do the work." "Mrs. Bruce will do it, aunty; she is such a nice woman, and such a good sewer; and then she is so good, and so poor." "You may tell her, Madeline, to come up to-morrow, or next day; the work is all cut out; I should like her to have it." Maddy hurried off early in the morning on her errand of love, tripped in so merrily, regardless of the dew upon the grass, so eager was she to carry good news. Roland was at home, and met Madeline with a respectful manner that seemed very cold to our little girl. Handing her the best chair, he bade her sit down, for this was the first time that he had ever welcomed her to his bumble home. "Aunt Matilda wants you, Mrs. Bruce, to send for the work to-day; she has it all cut out, and wants you to do it all." "I'll come up for it, Miss Madeline," answered Roland; "we are so much obliged to you for your goodness." Maddy began to laugh. "I thought, Roland, that we made a bargain a little while ago; have you forgotten that you were to call me Madeline?" "I don't think that it would be very proper for one who comes to your house to get work for his mother, to take such a liberty with the heiress of Woodcliff." "Good-bye, Mrs. Bruce," said the child, and away she ran. "Mother, I cannot bear to see you work so hard," said Roland; "and then dear Effie looks so pale, her step is so languid. Try, mother, to look up to Heaven, hoping and trusting; but everything looks so dark around us." "You must not say so, my son; the promises of God are 'yea and amen in Christ Jesus;' we believe that we are his children;' 'all things shall work together for good to those who love God;' let us keep our eyes upward, my dear boy; God is there, Roland--Jesus is there--our home is there." "There is not much for us here, dear mother." "Don't forget, my son, the blood that flows in your veins, the blood of Christian heroes; do not be unworthy of them, Roland. I gave you to God as soon as you were born, my child; I have trained you for Him; He has work for you, my son--I am certain of that. Just trust Him; look upward, Roland, and you will see everything that is noble and holy. Don't keep your eyes upon the earth; that will draw your soul downward. There is a great deal to live for, Roland; God will lead you to some high and holy destiny, if you will only trust Him." "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning Providence, He hides a smiling face." "You have cheered me, dear mother; what should I do without you?" answered the boy.