The Love of God. 149

the end of the year, Theodore wrote word to Reu-
ben that he wifhed him to come ‘‘ home” for his
holidays. Poor Reuben cried bitterly again when
he read the letter ; for, as he faid to the Matter,
“It is mot my home, though he has been very
good tome. I have no home !”

Theodore’s heart overflowed with pleafure and
almoft pride when he faw the boy again. Every
turn in the expreffion of his face was improved ;
and when Theodore firft took his hand, the lad
bent his face over it and fobbed out an entreaty for
pardon for his dreadful wickednefs. ‘‘ Reuben,”
cried Theodore, “ never fay that again. All is
forgotten fince your conduct is changed. Forget
the paft as foon as poffible. It will never be re-
membered by me.”

Time went on during the holidays very hap-
pily on the whole. In fact there was no draw-
back; but that now and then Theodore, who
would often fit looking at his adopted child’s face,
noticed a painful expreffion which he could not
account for. His conduct was irreproachable
and his refpect for Theodore feemed, if poffible,
increafed ; but he would not be frank with him,
and no encouragement beguiled him into the eafe
of trufted affection. ‘Theodore did not choofe to
notice this for fome weeks, but, as the time of
Reuben’s return to fchool drew near, he was un-
willing to let him go without fome expoftulation.

‘© Reuben,” faid he one day, ‘* you are going
baek to fchool. Your conduét has quite fatisfied