and will also see that you have a good boarding place, secure from the voice of temptation. An elderly gentleman, a friend of my mother's, lives there, who, I think, can be prevailed upon to take you into his family, for he is too kind-hearted to refuse any opportunity of doing good. His wife would be a real mother to you. Now, what do you say to that? I will go and see about it to-morrow, if you say so."
"Anything, I will do anything you advise, if it is to stand on my head."
Walter laughed at the seriousness with which this was spoken, and they quitted the wood. When they reached Mr. Morgan's door they parted.
The next day Walter succeeded in procuring the desired situation, and before the week was out James entered on his new duties. The first month seemed very long. He missed the excitement to which he had been accustomed, and most of all he missed Mary's society. The thought that he could not see her for a whole year distressed him greatly, but it helped to strengthen his resolution, so as to be permitted the privilege at the end of that time. When he thirsted for his cup, Walter's suggestion that he loved it more than her made him abhor it.
He was a young man of great promise and rare talent, of prepossessing appearance, which gained him numerous friends and acquaintances, some of whom were too fond of good cheer for his advantage. Easily influenced, as genial characters are apt to be, unless endowed with an uncommon share of firmness, he
