42 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

being will depend more on a series of happy accl-
dents than on the good-will of the hard-hearted
man to whose tender mercies the dying parents
have committed her.”’

“ Not happy accidents, Edward,” said Mrs. Claire,
with a tender smile; ‘say, wise providences. There
is no such thing as chance.”

“As you will, dear,” returned the husband, with
a slight change in his tone. ‘I would not call that
providence wise by which Leonard Jasper became
the guardian of » friendless child.”

“This is because you cannot see the end from the
beginning, Edward. The Lord’s providence does
not regard merely the external comfort and well-
being of his Greatures; it looks far beyond this, and
regards their internal interests. It permits evil
and suffering to-day, but only that good, a higher
than earthly good, may come on the morrow. It
was no blind chance, believe me, my husband, that
led to the appointment of Mr. Jasper as the guard-
ian of this poor child. Eternal purposes are in-
volved therein, as surely as God is infinitely wise
and good. Good to one, perhaps to many, will
. grow out of what now seems a deeply to be regretted
circumstance.”

“You're a happy reasoner, Edith. I wish I could
believe in so consoling a philosophy.” |
“Edward!” There was a change in Mrs. Claire’s
voice, and a look blending surprise with a gentle
rebuke in her countenance. ‘“ Edward, how can
you speak so? Is not mine the plain Christian
doctrine? Is it not to be found everywhere in the

Bible ?”