A SAGACIOUS DOG. FEW nights since a gentleman was driving home from Trimstone, Westdown, accompanied by his brother and their dog Bruno. Shortly after getting into the turnpikeroad the dog was missed,

but not much notice was taken of the fact. On arriving home the gentleman missed a parcel that had fallen out of the carriage, and, on retracing his steps, found the parcel not far from Trimstone and the faithful dog taking care of it.

THE LITTLE HAYMAKERS.

(Continued from p. 379.)

T was as she expected. Walter thrust his head in at the door, and feeling sure the lessontime was over urged his sisters to come out with all speed. Amy, afraid to hold out against Rose any longer, unwillingly followed her out of the room. They put on their hats, and ran out at the back-door, Rose telling Amy she was a good child for doing what her brother and sister wished.

'After all,' she added, 'we have only lost about ten or twelve minutes' practice, and it cannot matter.'

'I think it does matter though,' said Amy, who was by no means satisfied.

"Why? you little silly!'

'Because we ought to do what mother tells us; besides, we promised, and now we have told a story.'

'Nonsense!' replied Rose, who was beginning to feel very uneasy; 'how Robert would laugh at you!'

'But Walter would not laugh,' answered

the little girl, who was wise enough to readthe difference between the two characters. "Walter would not like us to do anything naughty.'

'Oh, look!' said Rose, trying to divert her sister's thoughts; 'look at the haymakers, how hard they are working!'

It was a very hot day even for the time of year, and the grass, which had lain since long before sunrise, was already becoming dry and brown, and there was the delicious smell of new hay all around. Then, too. the garden was charming, with its appletrees in full blossom and its strawberrybeds that hid the rich crimson fruit. The birds were humming gaily, and the bees buzzing about from flower to flower in full pursuit of their sweet food.

There was a brightness everywhere. Walter felt a joyousness thrilling in his heart as he ran merrily along, but the two little girls had a different feeling from that. There was not the gladness in their hearts that there ought to have been; for they could not help thinking all the time about their mother, and wondering if she would be vexed with them, and unhappy because her dear children had committed a fault.

Yes, they knew very well that it was a fault. Perhaps she will never know what we have done,' thought Rose to herself;

though, somehow, she always does seem to know everything. But, even if not, the all-seeing eye of God is sure to be, as it ever is, upon us.' And the children felt afraid, as Adam and Eve did in the garden of Eden, when they had sinned against the Lord God.

'Well,' said Walter to his sisters, after they had been some time in the field, 'I don't see that you are much good to us after all, you are not half up to fun. Don't you like haymaking?'

IN the evening, when the family group were seated in the drawing-room, Mr. Turner called his little girls to him, and took one on each knee. 'I want to know what you have been doing all day?' he asked. Have you felt very strange without mother?"

"Yes,' said Amy, 'I don't like her being away at all; when will she come back?'

'I don't know exactly, perhaps in a day or two. I hope my little girls have been very good, as she would wish them to be?'

Yes,' said Rose, while a slight blush came in her check.

And my little darling, too?' asked the father, stroking the hair which waved over Amy's brow; has she been a good child, too ?'

I've tried to be,' answered Amy, conscious of the one act of disobedience, and yet not daring to own it.

6 Mother told me before she started this morning, that the holidays were to begin to-morrow,' said Mr. Turner. 'Do you hear that, boys? your sisters begin their holidays to-morrow.'

'Hurrah!' cried the boys: 'then we shall have some fun; we can all make hay together.'

And I've no doubt,' said their father, smiling, 'it will be made all the sooner and better for your help. It is not to be all play and no work, though,' he added; 'for

every morning Rose and Amy are to practise music for half an hour. Can I trust you to do so, little ones, without any one looking after you?'

'I think so,' said Amy, timidly, while Rose spoke more confidently.

'Is Uncle Joseph very much hurt, father?" asked Walter.

'I fear so, my boy; but to-morrow morning's post will most likely bring news of him.'

'Mother seemed so unhappy this morning,' returned Walter, going up to his father's side; 'I wanted to walk with her to the station, but she did not wish it, for she said you were going to see her off,'

'So I did,' replied Mr. Turner. If I had not gone, she would have been very glad of your help.'

That night, when Rose and Amy were lying side by side in their two little beds, both felt very unhappy at the thought of what had passed during the day. Rose would not have liked any one to think she was sorry for what had taken place, for she had a proud spirit, and it was very hard for her at any time to confess that she was in fault. Still she knew very well that she had done wrong, and more than that, that she had led astray her little sister, to whom she ought, of course, to set a good example.

'Rose,' said the little one, timidly, 'I'm afraid we have been very naughty to-day.' 'Nonsense, child! What do you mean? returned the elder sister.

"Why, you know we have done what mother told us not to do.'

'We only went out about twelve or fourteen minutes too soon; and she did not mean us to be so very particular.'

'Oh, yes, Rosie, she did; you know she said we must not go out a minute before (Continued on page 330.)