'"Good afternoon, Miss Marguerite," he exclaimed; "I was gathering
these beautiful wild flowers, and heard a step. Guess my surprise, my
pleasant surprise, at seeing you, my dear. How bountiful God is to
give us all those beautiful wild sprays of beauty. Do you know, my
dear, that I think I get half my inspiration from the flowers; not so
much from those which we pamper in our gardens, as from those which
grow in wild, sweet places with only His hand to tend them."

'"How very beautiful your ideas always are," the poor girl said, as
she looked admiringly at her gifted and pious friend.

'"Ah, my child, I am but a very unworthy instrument in God's hand.
But come with me into this sombre wood--you have a full hour to
spare--and we shall find a bouquet for your good aunt. Give her my
blessing when you see her. This way, my dear Marguerite; this way. If
we could reach a beautiful lake, which lies about a mile distant
through this wood, I think that I could find you some lilies there
--some sisters for you. When first I saw you, my dear Marguerite, you
reminded me of a lily."

'The poor girl blushed deeply at these compliments; and she thought
that it was so good of this gifted man to bestow them upon a poor,
simple girl like herself.

'"But this is the horrid swamp, Mr. Jonas, where they say the
robbers live. Lots of men have come in here, and never came out
again. Do you not feel afraid?"

'"I feel no alarm, my timid child. I have wandered many a day
through the aisles of this sombre wood. The boughs grow so heavy and