"And now, does any one know that Elsie had vexed Arthur in any way, or that he had any unkind feelings toward her ?" "Yes, papa," Walter spoke up suddenly.

"I heard Arthur, the other day, talking very crossly about Elsie, and threatening to pay her for something; but I didn't understand what." Mr.Dinsmore's frown was growing darker, and Arthur began to tremble and turn pale.

He darted a fierce glance at Walter, but the little fellow did not see it.
"Does any one know what Elsie had done ?" was the next question.
No one spoke, and Herbert fidgeted and grew very pale.

Mr.Horace Dinsmore noticed it, and begged him if he knew anything to tell it at once; and Herbert reluctantly repeated what he had already told his mother of the conversation in the woods; and as he concluded, Lora drew a note from her pocket, which she handed to her father, saying that she had picked it up in the school-room, from a pile of rubbish which Arthur had carelessly thrown out of his desk.
Mr.Dinsmore took it, glanced hastily over the contents, and with a groan, exclaimed: "Is it possible!--a gambler already! Arthur, has it really come to this?
"Go to your room, sir," he added, sternly, "there to remain in solitary confinement until arrangement can be made to send you to school at a distance from the home which shall be no longer polluted by your presence; for you are unworthy to mingle with the rest of the family." Arthur obeyed in sullen silence, and his father, following, turned the key upon him, and left him to solitude and his own reflections.
"Did my little daughter think papa had quite forgotten his promise ?" asked Mr.Horace Dinsmore, as again he stood by Elsie's couch.
"No, papa," she said, raising her eyes to his face with a grateful, loving look; "it seemed very long, but I knew you would come as soon as you could, for I know you never break your word." Her confidence pleased him very much, and with a very gratified look he asked whether he should sit by her side or take her again upon his knee.
"Take me on your knee again, if you please, papa," she said, "and then will you read a little to me?
I would like it so much." "I will do anything that will give my little girl pleasure," he replied, as he once more lifted her gently, and placed her in the desired position.
"What shall the book be ?" he asked; "one of the new ones I bought you the other day ?" "Not that, to-night; if you please, papa; I would rather hear a little from an old book," she answered, with a sweet smile lighting tip her little pale face; "won't you please read me the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah ?" "If you wish it, dearest; but I think something lively would be much better; more likely to cheer you up." "No, dear papa; there is nothing cheers me up like the Bible, it is so sweet and comforting.

I do so love to hear of Jesus, how he bore our griefs and carried our sorrows." "You are a strange child," he said, "but you shall have whatever you want to-night.