“You are right, Ishmael, for God has blessed your earnest efforts, as, indeed, he would bless those of anyone so conscientious and persevering as yourself.  But, Ishmael, will you have money enough to carry on the suit?”

“I hope so, Bee; I do not know.”

“Here, then, Ishmael, take this little roll of notes; it is a hundred dollars; use it for the woman,” she said, putting in his hand a small parcel.

Ishmael hesitated a moment; but Bee hastened to reassure him by saying: 

“You had as well take it as not, Ishmael.  I can very well spare it, or twice as much.  Papa makes me a much larger allowance than one of my simple tastes can spend.  And I should like,” she added, smiling, “to go partners with you in this enterprise.”

“I thank you, dear Bee; and I will take your generous donation and use it, if necessary.  It may not be necessary,” said Ishmael.

“And now I must leave you, Ishmael, and go to little Lu; she is not well this evening.”  And the little Madonna-like maiden glided like a spirit from the room.

The next morning Ishmael went to see his client.  He showed her the absolute necessity of submission to the writ of habeas corpus; he promised to use his utmost skill in her case; urged her to trust the result with her Heavenly Father; and encouraged her to hope for success.

She followed Ishmael’s advice; she promised to obey the order, adding: 

“It will be on Wednesday in Easter week.  That will be fortunate, as the school will have a holiday, and I shall be able to attend without neglecting the work that brings us bread.”

“Are the children far away?  Can you get them without inconvenience in so short a time?” inquired Ishmael.

“Oh, yes; they are in the country, with a good honest couple named Gray, who were here on the Christmas holidays, and boarded with my aunt, who keeps the Farmer’s Rest, near the Center Market.  My aunt recommended them to me, and when I saw the man I felt as if I could have trusted uncounted gold with him—­he looked so true!  He and his wife took my three little girls home with them, and would not take a cent of pay; and they have kept my secret religiously.”

“They have indeed!” said Ishmael, in astonishment; “for they are my near relatives and never even told me.”

CHAPTER LVI.

TRIAL AND TRIUMPH.

  Let circumstance oppose him,
    He bends it to his will;
  And if the flood o’erflows him,
    He dives and steins it still;
  No hindering dull material
    Shall conquer or control
  His energies ethereal,
    His gladiator soul! 
  Let lower spirits linger,
    For hint and beck and nod,
  He always sees the finger
    Of an onward urging God!

  —­M.F.  Tupper.

Like most zealous, young professional men, Ishmael did a great deal more work for his first client than either custom or duty exacted of him.