- 66 TURNS OF FORTUNE.

a lean, long, parchment, round which an abun-
dance of tape was wound. ‘ No. - Who knows
what may be found here?” At once the idea
was caught, Mabel thought no more of the
strings. ‘I cannot,” said Sarah Bond to Mr.
Goulding, “ untie this; canygu?”’ Her fingers
tromblet and she sank on her knees by the
clergyman’s side. The eyes of the little group
were fixed upon him; not a word was spoken ;
every breath was hushed; slowly he unfastened
knot after knot; at last the parchment was un-
folded; still, neither Sarah Bond nor Mabel
spoke; the latter gasped for breath—her lips
apart, her cheeks flushed ; while Sarah’s hands
were clasped together, locked upon her bosom,
and every vestige of colour had deserted her
face.

‘‘ Be calm, my dear friend,” he said, after
glancing his eyes over the parchment; “be
calm. You have experienced enough of the
changes and chances of this world not to build
too quickly upon any foundation but the one—
the goodness of God; I do believe this is an
especial proof of His Providence, for I do think
this is Cornelius Bond Hobart’s original will in
your uncle’s favour.” :

It would be useless to attempt a description
of the scene that followed ; but the joy at the
reality of the discovery was a heartful tempe-
rate joy—the joy of chastened .hearts. Sarah
Bond, blessing God, above all things, that, go