HALCYON DAYS.

adjoining field, "just run up the road and tell the
young lady that her sister is safe, and then bring her
here-do you hear ?"
 "Aye, aye !" replied the lad, "I'm off 1"
 Minnie was soon kneeling on the grass beside poor
Louisa, whose cheek was fast regaining its usual
colour.
 "Oh, Price!" she cried, as soon as she found
strength to speak, "how shall I thank you?"
 "Don't talk about me now,"' replied the honest
fellow, I'm very glad I was in the way, and strong
enough too to help you. But hadn't you best go
home now, miss; I'll lead the pony, Master Wil-
liam."

 It was the evening before William's return to Eton,
when Mr. and Mrs. Vyning, with Miss Forster and
the children, reached the door of the ploughman's cot-
tage. The little family were at their afternoon meal,
and Mrs. Price was fluttered beyond measure when she
saw who were her visitors. The party nearly filled the
neat little room, and occupied every chair in it, while
Mrs. Price stood by her husband's side with Matty,
who, half-frightened, clung to her mother's skirts,
and hid her face in her apron, notwithstanding Min-
nie's and Louisa's repeated efforts to entice her to
them.
 "We have come," said Mr. Vining, after a few
kind questions and answers had passed--"we have
come, Price, to propose something we hope will be
acceptable to you."
 "It is William's thought," added Mrs. Vyning,
" and as he is well acquainted with your son Dick, we
think he will certainly not object to it."
 "Now wouldn't you like to be a gardener, Dick,"