The Mill Agent

, their black shadows lay as if cut in ebony across the white road. "You are very welcome to do so," replied Austin Grande, as he too arose, and after glancing once in the calm face of his companion, turned his moody countenance heavenward. " What fine evenings we are having, now," he said; " it seems as if the stars were unusually brilliant, to-night." " The heavens declare the glory of my God," murmured Guilford Coit, in a tone of solemn pleasure. "Oh! my friend, what splendors, must be in reserve for us, His children, if He has made this poor earth so beautiful!" Austin ventured no reply, only set his lips more firmly together, and made a slight, nervous motion with his shoulders. " God never enters my soul so fully," co.i - tinued Guilford Coit, " as when it is lifted up by the contemplation of such scenes as this. What majesty in His being! How matchless His mercy?His unbounded love !" "Mercy!" muttered Austin Grande, the word seemed to spring from his lips, unconsciously. Guilford Coit, turned suddenly, and fixed his dark eyes on the troubled face beside him. "Do you doubt His mercy ?" he asked, tenderly. " I doubt everything," was the dull reply. " O, no," said the new agent in a, cheerful voice ; ' it seems you had confidence enoughin me, to offer me a lodging with you. How do you know what sort of a man I am ? " Austin Grande looked up, met the full luminous eye. The troubled cloud cleared away. the light of a trusti...