94 ROBERT DAWSON.

I hung down my head and’said nothing.

Some time before the second bell rang in the after-
noon, I sallied forth towards the church. It was, as I
said, a beautiful winter’s day, but not beautiful to me, —
for my heart was ill at ease.

The sound of sleigh-bells was behind me, swiftly
coming up the street. 7

“ Hallo!” shouted a voice.

ie Come: Bob! come, now, get in!” It was Tom;
and the sleigh was beside my very footsteps.

“Where are you going >” said I.

“Oh! only a little way; come, jump in with us.”

His companion was a lad for whom little respect
was felt by the more sober part of his acquaintances.

“No, no: I cannot go!” I said ; “T must show
myself inside some church to-day;—it is so pleasant.”

“So pleasant for riding, Bob ! i Come, we have no
time for it in the week-days. Come, we shall not be
gone long.” !

They urged, and I willingly heard them. Suddenly,

even to myself, I jumped in beside them. Crack went