XMILLTE]S VICTORY

sweet face as Miss Churton's. She looked a most
loving, good girl.",
 Mrs. Templeton's opinion was not changed by
Millie's visit the next day. With two or three words
she won the lonely girl's confidence, and Millie told
her of her mother's going abroad and her father's
death, so simply and sorrowfully, Mrs. Templeton's
eyes were full of tears as she kissed her.
 The Rectory garden was a large and beautiful
one; the children took Millie all round it, becoming
better friends with her every moment. Millie was
dearly fond of flowers, and with the pleasure of seeing
and touching them once more, she laughed and chatted
gaily.
 Ah! you haven't seen the glory of the garden
yet. We are so proud of it," said Reginald. Come
this way, Miss Churton, and you girls." He led the
way down a sheltered path to a little summer-house, com-
pletely shadowed by a great lilac-tree. The branches
were laden with fragrant blossoms, now in full bloom.
 "Is it not beautiful, Miss Churton ? Why, what's
the matter ?" exclaimed Polly.
 "Nothing, thank you. Please not give them to
me," she said, turning from the flowers Reginald was
offering, trying to keep back her tears.
 Don't you like them ? "
 "I can't bear to look at them. Papa and mamma
were coming home when the lilacs were in bloom, and
now-.- She glanced at her black dress.
 "Poor dear !" said Polly, gently, "come in, and
we'll have some music."
 All the Templetons could play--their -mother
taught them-and they willingly played a number of
solos, duets, and trios, to Millie, on condition she
would play afterwards