Ts WITHOUT WINGS. 79
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the venture. Then, with virtue at the helm, and the
light of God’s love in the sky, we will find a sure
haven at last.”’

“Tt shall be as you wish, Edith,” said Claire, as
he gazed with admiring affection into the bright and
glowing face of his wife, that was lovely in her beau-
tiful enthusiasm.

‘‘No—no, Edward! Don’t say as J wish,” was her
quick reply. ‘I cannot bear that you should act
merely under my influence as an external pressure.
If I have seemed to use persuasior® it has not been
to force you over to my way of thinking. But, can-
not you see thatIam right? Does not your reason
approve of what I say ?”’

“Tt does, Edith. I can see, as well as feel, that
you are right. But, the offer of a present good is a
strong temptation. I speak freely.”’

“ And I thank you for doing so. Oh! never con-
ceal from me your inmost thoughts. You say that
you can see as well as feel that I am right ?”

“Yes; I freely acknowledge that.”

“Your reagOmyapproves what I have said ?”’

“This tells yo fthat it-will be better for you in
ps end to accept of four hundred dollars from Mr.

 
   

lleville, than to remain with Mr. Jasper at six
hundred and fifty?” © .

“Tt does, Edith.’ # |

“Then, my husbanéjlet the reason which God
has given to you as ide, direct you now in the
right way. Do not act under influence from me—
for then the act will not be freely your own—but,
as a truly rational, and, therefore, a wise man, choose