60 THE MISSING BOOK.

look. He seemed pondering in his mind some import-
ant subject. Yes!—new thoughts had lately sprung
up in his heart. He had felt: the nobleness of confess-
ing a fault even to his fellow-creature, and that led him
to reflect how often he had deceived him. The words
of Maurice, “ We cannot deceive God, who knoweth all
things,” had led him to think how often, by deceit and
falsehood, and neglect of duty, he must have offended
his great Creator. The Bible lesson of the afternoon
had drawn his thoughts into a serious train; the Spirit
of the Holy One was near, hovering around his retire-
_ ment with most precious and blessed boons and bene-
dictions, all ready to pour into his youthful soul. God
grant he may open his heart to receive them, and not
grieve him away by thoughtlessness or love of ease!
Dick Wells had stolen into the closet of Tom Bailey,
unknown to any one; they were sitting close together,
talking very earnestly in low whispers, lest it should be
discovered that they had transgressed a rule of the
school, and were passing the hours together. They
appeared to be laying a plan for something which was
difficult to settle, as they often paused thoughtfully,
and then resumed their conversation, as if undecided
what course to take. Had one been near, he might
have heard such phrases as these: “Splendid horses !”
—* Best circus in the country !”—“Fine music !”—
“Tam determined I will go !”—“Somehow or other I
am quite decided about that: I had rather be punished