for an instant, and then he asked in a faint voice, 'Who is there?' A manly voice replied, 'Only Harry Bonner!'

2. The lightning lit up the whole of the large, dreary-looking schoolroom, and revealed to the schoolmaster the figure of a naval officer, on whose breast glittered decorations of rank and honour.

3. Darkness instantly succeeded, as the officer started from the form and grasped the hand of the master; then the two moved quickly and silently together into the cottage, while the thunder crashed overhead.

4. The excitement of the moment confused the old man, and as the officer, still holding his hand. with fervent grasp, gazed in his eyes by the dim light of the cottage, he uttered some rambling words about Harry Bonner, and the ship, and the double lesson, but when he beheld the officer cover his face with his disengaged hand and weep, his brain rallied;1 he lighted a rushlight that stood on the mantelshelf, and as the officer withdrew his hand slowly from his face, the master passed the light before those brown and scarred, yet handsome features, in whose strong workings of feeling he almost recognised his long-lost but unforgotten scholar.

1 Rallied, recovered itself.

5. The officer suddenly clasped the old man's

hand. My dear old master,' he exclaimed.

6. The old man was too weak for the sudden surprise; he put his hand to his brow, gazed vacantly, gasped for breath, and his lips moved without a sound.

7. The officer placed him tenderly in the old wicker chair, in which the knitter of the dappledgrey worsted stockings used to sit. Then the old man grasped one of his arms, and looking up, said mournfully, and shook his head-'She is not here; she said to the last Harry Bonner would be found some day. And now she is not here.'

10. There was a short silence- solemn and sad. II. And why hast thou hidden thyself all these years?' asked the master.

12. I have been redeeming the past; I have been working my way from rags and infamy to this,' showing a full and heavy purse, 'to revenge myself for the stick and the strap, and make thy latter days easy, my good old master.

13. The change seems wonderful to you, no doubt,' continued the officer, after an agitated pause; it is wonderful to myself; but it is to you I trace it. Your kind instruction-your patient

endeavours to reclaim me-your observations on my wickedness-your encouraging praise of my abilities—all appealed to my heart and conscience, and roused me to resolve on going to sea, and trying to lead a new life. The sight of the man-of-war from the window, and the last flogging I had from the blacksmith, decided me. I ran down the cliffs

-I told my tale to a boat's crew of the war ship -I was taken on board as a cabin boy-the ship sailed directly.

-

14. 'I rose step by step-I have been in many battles, and here I am- a commander of the vessel you were viewing when I entered the schoolroom and found my way to the old seat.'

15. And I hope,' said the master earnestly, 'I hope, my dear Harry, you are thankful to that Providence which has guided your wandering feet through paths so strange and difficult.'

16. 'I trust I am!' rejoined the officer, with profound reverence.

17. 'And now does my uncle live?'

18. He and your aunt died fifteen years since.' 19. 'I am sorry for it. I should have liked to have talked with them of our past errors-theirs and mine. It would have been a great pleasure to me to have done something for them. warmed to the old village when I

How my heart

entered it just

now! I could have embraced the mossy palings; I could have knelt down and kissed the very ground. But I was so impatient to see if you lived that I paused nowhere till I reached the school door, and found you gazing at my ship.'

20. 'You have brought the heart of Harry Bonner,' said the master, 'whatever has become of his vices.'

21. 'You shall find I have; for whatever money can procure, or affection or gratitude bestow, for your health and comfort, shall be yours from this hour, my dear old master.'

THE GENTLE WIND.

1. A GENTLE wind in gentle mood.
Went gently wandering through a wood,
And moved the grass all tenderly,
And stirred a breeze the flowers among,
And gave the birds a breath for song,

On branchlet perched all slenderly.

2. It shook the leaves and made them sigh A low sweet moan, and then passed by With scarce a sound of going;

And, laden with a scent of flowers,

And fresh as April's freshest showers,
Went calmly onward flowing;

3. And kissed a peasant's toil-worn cheek; And gladden did his spirit meek

Like voice of sweetest melody;
And brushed aside his wavy hair
With a tiny little toss, and there
Left it all disorderly;

4. And rippled next a tiny brook,
And little leaves upon it shook,
From trees beside it growing;

And made a tiny little rustle,
And caused a tiny little bustle

As downward they came flowing;