WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 43

 

“Doubtless, Edith; but I’m not one of the pious
kind, you know.”’

Claire forced a smile to his face, but his wife
looked serious, and remarked—

“J don’t like to hear you talk so, Edward. There
is in it, to me, something profane. Ah, my dear
husband, in this simple yet all-embracing doctrine
of providence lies the whole secret of human happi-
ness. If our Creator be infinite, wise, and good,
he will seek the well-being of his creatures, even
‘though they turn from him to do-violence to his
laws; and, in his infinite love and wisdom, will so
order and arrange events as to make every thing
conspire to the end in view. Both bodily and men-
tal suffering are often permitted to take place, as
the only agencies by which to counteract hereditary
evils that would otherwise destroy the soul.”

“ Ah, Edie! Edie!” said Claire, interrupting his
wife, in a fond, playful tone, “you are a wise

‘preacher, and as good as you are wise. I only
wish that I could see and feel as you do; no doubt
it would be better for me in the end. But such a
_ wish is vain.”

_ “Qh, say not so, dear husband!’ exclaimed
_ Edith, with unexpected earnestness; “say not so!
; It hurts me almost like words of personal unkind-
ness.”
_, “But how can I be as good as you are? It isn't
- in me.”

__ “Tam not good, Edward. There is none good
_ but God,” answered the wife solemnly.

_ “Oh yes, yes! You are an angel!” returned