disperse the shadows that all day long had been gathering around the heart of Mr. Abercrombie!  But that was impossible.  Self-respect had been forfeited; and a consciousness of having, in his impatient haste, acted unjustly, haunted his thoughts.  And so, the shadows that were not to be dispersed by the feeble sun-rays from the countenance of his wife, gradually diffused themselves, until the light that struggled with them grew pale.

“Did you know,” said Mrs. Abercrombie, breaking in upon the oppressive silence that succeeded, after all had retired for the night but herself and husband, “that the mother of Edward Wilson is very poor and in a decline?”

“I was not aware of it,” was the brief response.

“It is so.  Mrs. Archer was here this afternoon, and was telling me about them.  Mrs. Wilson, who, until within a few weeks past, has been able to earn something, is now so weak that she cannot leave her bed, and is solely dependent on the earnings of her son.  How much do you pay him?”

“Only three dollars a week,” answered Mr. Abercrombie, shading his face with his hand.

“Only three dollars!  How can they live on that?  Mrs. Archer says that Edward is one of the best of lads—­that he nurses his mother, and cares for her with unfailing tenderness; indeed, he is her only attendant.  They are too poor to pay for the services of a domestic.  Could you not afford to increase his wages?”

“I might, perhaps,” said Mr. Abercrombie, abstractedly, still shading his face.

“I wish you could,” was the earnest reply.  “It will be a real charity.”

Mr. Abercrombie made no response; and his wife pursued the subject no further.  But the former lay awake for hours after retiring to bed, pondering the events of the day which had just closed.

The sun had gone down amid clouds and shadows; but the morrow dawned brightly.  The brow of Mrs. Abercrombie was undimmed as she met her family at the breakfast-table on the next morning, and every countenance reflected its cheerful light.  Even Mr. Abercrombie, who had something on his conscience that troubled him, gave back his portion of the general good feeling.  Lighter far was his step as he went forth and took his way to his store.  His first act on his arriving there, was, to ease his conscience of the pressure thereon, by sending for Edward Wilson, and restoring him to his place under new and better auspices.

And thus the shadows passed; yet, not wholly were they expelled.  The remembrance of pain abides long after the smarting wound has healed, and the heart which has once been enveloped in shadows, never loses entirely its sense of gloomy oppression.  How guarded all should be lest clouds gather upon the brow, for we know not on whose hearts may fall their shadows.

GENTLE HAND.

I did not hear the maiden’s name; but in my thought I have ever since called her “Gentle Hand.”  What a magic lay in her touch!  It was wonderful.