THE GLASS MARBLES. (Continued from page 348.) UT now that a way was opened for him, Edward felt less inclined than ever to make his confession. He closed his heart to his aunt's gentle appeal, and made shuffling replies to all her questions.

So, finding she could not draw the truth from him, and fearing that she was only tempting him into falsehood, she gave up the attempt, and sent him to fetch his lesson-books. But she was just as kind to him as before, and the next day met him on his way home to dinner, and took him off with her into the town to buy some sweet biscuits and dried fruit for himself and his little friends in the evening.

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Sarah has made a chicken-pie and a nice plum-cake,' she said. "And now I think we will go to the toy-shop and get a new game I know of.'

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Please don't, aunt!' begged Edward, in a tone of great alarm. They will like playing at riddles and quartettes as well as anything.'

His aunt looked at him in surprise.

'Oh, but this is a capital game: I am sure you will like it; and I am going to give it you as a present. Surely you and Miss Cox have not quarrelled?'

'No, aunt, no! But please don't let us go. I don't want the game, thank you. I would much rather not go and buy it.'

Edward's distress was so evident that his aunt gave way; but she felt puzzled, and more sure than ever that something wrong was going on.

The evening passed off pleasantly: Mrs. Webb took care of that; though she noticed that at first there was a little shyness between Edward and the elder of his two

visitors. But it wore off very quickly, i Johnny was so merry over tea, that Edward grew merry too; and there was quite enough noise and fun during the games afterwards. Oh, aunt! thank you so much,' said Edward, when his companions had gone home. It is so good of you to have played with us all night.'

'I like to make you happy, my dear,' she answered. And I think you would be happier if you were quite open with me. I don't wish to drag your secret from you: but if you told it me I think I might help you.'

'My secret!' cried Edward, with a startled look. How do you know I have a secret?'

She put her arms about him, and said tenderly, You have no mother, Edward; but I would be a mother to you if you would let me.'

Tears rose to his eyes, and his heart beat quickly. He was softened, and felt for a moment half inclined to tell her all. But he checked the impulse, and the opportunity was gone for ever.

'Indeed, aunt,' he began, I haven't got

Mrs. Webb followed her anxiously into the small sitting-room behind the shop. She felt at once that she was going to hear something painful about her little nephew, but she was hardly prepared for what Miss Cox had to tell.

'I am very sorry to put you about so,' said the kind-hearted woman; but I thought you ought to know. I did not like to speak to Mr. Hewitt, lest he should be very severe with the child. I didn't see it myself, and I could scarcely believe it when the three other young gentlemen brought me the money the next day, and begged I wouldn't send Master Edward to prison. I didn't want to take it, but they wouldn't have been satisfied if I hadn't, good little fellows! but would have thought their friend was still in danger. It was Master Fisher who saw him take the marbles. and he didn't know what to do till he had talked it over with the others. Then they agreed to club together and come and pay me, for, you see, they were afraid I might have seen after all.'.

Mrs. Webb thanked Miss Cox very much for her consideration in the matter, and went home with a sad heart. She said nothing, however, to Edward till the next afternoon, when it was his half-holiday, and he had plenty of time to attend to her. Then, as soon as dinner was over, she called him to her, and began very seriously:

You would not tell me your secret, Edward. I know it now, for Miss Cox has told me.'

He gave a great start. 'Oh, aunt! she will not send me to prison?' he asked piteously.

wickedness can turn this earth into a hell. It is God's anger that you ought to fear, Edward: it is your sin that ought to make you unhappy. You are afraid of being brought before the magistrates and sent to gaol; but that would be nothing compared with the great Judgment Day, when God's awful Book will be opened, and we shall be judged according to our deeds. Have you never thought of this?'

The boy hung his head: he was ashamed to meet his aunt's look. Her words and manner struck him more solemnly than any sermon or lesson in church had ever done. His sin began to appear to him in a new and fearful light.

She went on firmly: Have you never thought that, whether you are sent or not, you deserve to go to prison far more than many a poor starving boy who is put there for stealing something he really stands in need of; such, for instance, as a jacket, or a loaf of bread?'

'Oh, aunt,' Edward interrupted, 'I didn't think of all this! I did not know it was so bad!'

'And yet you have had plenty of time to think. Your school-fellows must have reminded you every hour by their coolness. towards you. No wonder they avoided your company. A little time ago you yourself would not have cared to be friends with a thief.'

(Concluded in our next.)

BEWARE!

JUST as the broadest rivers run

From small and distant springs, The greatest crimes that men have done Have grown from little things.

THOUGHTLESS

MINNIE.

INNIE GRAY, Farmer Gray's orphan little girl, was as pleasant a little girl of thirteen as any one would wish to meet, and her loving father thought she had no faults: she had not many, it is true, but she had one which often leads to sad trouble-she was very thoughtless. Always ready to please and to oblige, she sometimes in her wish to do so forgot duties and promises which she ought to have remembered. Aunt Mary, her father's sister, who had lived at Ivy Green Farm ever since Mrs. Gray's death, used to beg her niece to be more thoughtful.. 'You don't like being selfish, my darling,' she would say; and being thoughtless is a kind of selfishness strive against it; ask God to help you when you say your prayers; or depend upon it, dear, it will lead you into some great trouble.'

And Minnie would reply, 'Yes, dear auntie, I will try indeed.' And she did try, but still the fault was not cured.

One hot July morning Aunt Mary was away upon a visit, between the busy times of hay and wheat-harvest; Minnie was having holidays and acting as little housekeeper.

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And mind, Minnie,' he added, as he stood by the door, don't forget to tell James to send the old horse in the gig. I wouldn't like to have White Bess in the gig if there was to be a storm, and I'm much mistaken if there won't be one before very long she's frightened of lightning, it makes her almost mad. You won't forget to tell James? he's gone to the far meadow now and I can't wait till he comes home.'

'I won't forget, dear father. And if Mary Fairly asks me to tea or to spend the day, may I go?'

'Yes, dear, but be back by seven, for I shall miss my little girl if I don't find her when I get home. Good-bye, dear, and keep out of the hot sun.' And with these words the farmer left the house, and soon crossed the village-street and joined Mr. Collins, whose gig stood at the door ready to start.

After her father was gone Minnie began to amuse herself in various ways: first she ran into the cool, pleasant dairy, to help the dairy-maid with the golden butter; then she fed her pets, the chickens; next she visited the stable to look at the horses. 'Must not forget about White Bess,' as the sight of the horse reminded her of her father's request; but James was not near, so! the matter had to be put off for the present, and Minnie ran off to the fruit-garden and feasted upon strawberries: but even the delight of eating fresh strawberries can't last for ever, and when she had finished she felt at a loss what to do. Oh! I'll get the last Good Story and read that here."