it still better. He is a good boy; Mr. Ellsworth gives him the best of characters."

The service commenced, and in the Magnificat and Nune Dimittis, Arthur took his part with a correctness of taste and a beauty of tone that quite delighted both his guardian and Mr. Stephens.

The anthem, too, was grand: what a depth of tenderness! with what a beseeching air sang Charlie, “Judge me, O Lord, and let them not triumph over me." Triumph over him, would they, his enemies, over him who never had and never would, wrong them?

A great admirer of beauty in any shape or form was Mr. Stephens, and not even his long and close acquaintance with musty parchments had blunted this feature of his character. As an admirer of beauty could he fail to admire our Charlie in his fair boyish grace? No, he could not, and when outside remarked to the doctor:

"Ellis would furnish a capital study for an artist, he ought to be taken as he is singing."

His remark was overheard by a gentleman passing, who muttered to himself-" Not half a bad idea."

The evening passed very pleasantly away, very happily to little Arthur and Kate, who were, of course, delighted to be together again once more.

L

W

CHAPTER XIV.

MR. JARVICE'S REQUEST.

HAT a bright morning for November! something unusual in this month, so proverbially the time. for fogs and murky skies.

Let us have a peep at Mr. Ellsworth. How very much annoyed he looks, nay, even troubled, as he reads and re-reads an open letter, which he finally throws down. His usually Rising hastily, he strides to the window. smooth hair is disarranged, and on his brow frowns have gathered.

Presently a knock is heard at the door, and in answer to his "Come in," Mrs. Ellsworth enters.

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George, what is the matter?" asked she, on seeing her husband's perturbed countenance, who, without saying a word, caught up the before-mentioned letter, and placed it in her hands. Suppose we read with her. It is

addressed to

"The Rev: G. Ellsworth,

The Grammer School,

Norstone."

The contents are as follows.

"Rev: Sir,

I've something to say as I'm afeard will be unplesent; but I mean no ofence to you, though I think you a bit to blame.

I sent my two sons Edwin and Joseph to your school, thinking as none but respectible boys go to Grammer Schools.

Well, sir, my two sons is respectible, and will have plenty of tin when they come of age, and I wish for em to mix with respectible folks, not chair-woman's grand-sons as is that young Ellis. Yes, I speke the truth, the boy Ellis lived with his grandmother, a chairwoman and washerwoman before he got in your cathedral quire. And I consider it a shame for my boys, as is gentlemen, to be crowed over by one who is their inferier in everything.

This won't do, if there's no alteration, I shall take my sons away, and shall tell other gentlemen as has boys in your school about the matter.

I am coming to Norstone tomorrow to see about it. I shall go to the Dean, and tell him its a downrite shame, and I dont mean to stand it, either Ellis leves the school, or my boys do, and praps others after them.

Hoping you'll think it over,

I remain,

Yours truely,

J. JARVICE."

"What a disagreeable man!" said Mrs. Ellsworth, "What shall you do, George?"

"I don't know, Mary; I shall have to place the matter in the Dean's hands. If my decision could settle it, it would soon be given. I shall stand by Ellis, for charwoman's grandson or not, he is worth any number of boys such as the Jarvices."

"I can't see what difference that can make to him," observed Mrs. Ellsworth. "These Jarvices, rich though they may be, are not to be compared to him, as regards goodness and genuine refinement. Do you think the Dean will order him to be removed?"

"No, I do not think so; look what a loss it would be to the choir, as well as a great wrong to an innocent person. He may be sent to another school, if his presence here is likely to damage this; but even that concession to the absurd prejudices of narrow-minded people seems scarcely right. No person with a grain of common sense would care a jot about his rank when his character is taken into consideration. Oh, and there is another thing, Mary,the Dean went out of residence last week, and to-day leaves Norstone for the south of France. His daughter, Miss Agnes Waring, is extremely delicate, as you know, and he told me last week that he was intending to try change of air for her. They will be absent until the beginning of April, so that Mr. Jarvice will have no opportunity of stating his grievance to him, and without the Dean's sanction nothing, of course, can be done. So, for a time, at least, Ellis may rest in peace, poor lad, and by the Dean's return all may have blown over. If I can only induce Mr. Jarvice to recognize his worth, all will be well, -if not, why time alone can tell the result."

"I doubt those young Jarvices annoy him in secret," said Mrs. Ellsworth; "only yesterday, I overheard one of them asking him if he could carry water."

." And what did he say?"

"He said, 'Yes, of course I can,-I should be as useless as you if I couldn't.'

"That is very unlike Charlie," replied Mr. Ellsworth; "but I am glad, it shows he is ridding himself of that false shame I spoke to him of. He was actually ashamed of his origin, Mary, and there's no denying it. If their

teasing removes that feeling, it will not have been in vain. I am pleased you have mentioned this little incident to me, I now know that the boy is following my advice. The young choristers make almost too much of him, and as for Melville and Leland, I never knew boys so much attached to any one. I suppose the change after Percival's rule is one reason, he was a real bully to them."

"And Ellis is the reverse?" asked his wife.

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Still it is

Yes, he is, to give him his due. I must confess that long as I have kept school, never have I had a pupil for whom I entertained the affection I do for Ellis. not smooth water that makes the skilful mariner, and a few ups and downs more or less, though unpleasant, will do him no harm. I want him to get rid of that false shame, and these taunting young Jarvices will do it for him, so don't fear, Mary, your little friend is in good hands."

"I can see the force of your reasoning," replied the lady," and I agree with you that such discipline will be for his benefit."

The next day brought Mr. Jarvice, who, when he found the Dean absent, and consequently unable to redress his grievance, could not conceal his chagrin.

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'I consider it a downright shame, sir," he said to Mr. Ellsworth, "that my boys should be mixed up with that young upstart, as is nothing, and never will be."

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'But what do you find to complain of in Ellis?" enquired Mr. Ellsworth, "his character and conduct are excellent."

"So they may be," replied the vulgar man, "I'm sure