WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 133

 

earnestly desire to do right, true perceptions will
be given.”

‘A beautiful faith ; but oh, how hard to realize!”

‘¢ No, Edward, not so very hard. We have never

found it so: have we?”

' Love and holy confidence were in her eyes.

‘‘We have had some dark seasons, Edith,”’ said
Claire sadly.

‘‘ But, through darkest clouds has come the sun-
beam. Our feet have not wandered for want of
light. Look back for a moment. How dark all
seemed when the question of leaving Jasper’s service
came up for decision. And yet how clear a light
shone when the time for action came. Have you
ever regretted what was then done, Edward ?”

‘Not in a sane moment,’ replied the young man.
“Q no, no, Edith!’ speaking more earnestly ;
“that, with one exception, was the most important
act of my life.”

‘With one exception?” Edith spoke in a tone
of inquiry.

“Yes.” Claire’s voice was very tender, and
touched with a slight unsteadiness. The most. im-
portant act of my life was”

He paused and gazed lovingly into the face of his
wife. She, now comprehending him, laid, with a
pure thrill of joy pervading her bosom, her cheek to
his—and thus, for the space of nearly a minute,
they sat motionless.

‘May God bless you, Edith !” said Claire at length,
fervently, lifting his head as he spoke. ‘You are
the good angel sent to go with me through life. Ah!
but for you, how far from true path might my