"No, thank you, child; but I should like to hear more of that book

you were reading to me last night--that is, if it will not weary

you, my child."

"Certainly not--here it is. I was waiting for you to ask me for more

of it. Shall I begin now, or defer it till after tea?"

"Now, if you please."

Mrs. Asbury seated herself on an ottoman at her husband's feet, and

threw her arm up over his knee; and, opening Butler's "Analogy,"

Beulah began to read where she left off the previous day, in the

chapter on "a future life."

With his hand resting on his wife's head, Dr. Asbury listened

attentively. At the conclusion of the chapter, she turned to the

dissertation on "personal identity," so nearly related to it, and

read it slowly and impressively.

"It is remarkably clear and convincing," said the doctor, when she

ceased.

"Yes; his argument that death, instead of being an abnormal event,

is as much a law of our nature as birth (because necessary to future

development), and that, as at maturity, we have perfections of which

we never dreamed in infancy, so death may put us in possession of

new powers, by releasing us from the chrysalis state, is one which

has peculiar significance to my mind. Had Cornelia Graham studied

it, she would never have been tortured by the thought of that

annihilation which she fancied awaited her. From childhood this

question of 'personal identity' has puzzled me; but, it seems to me,

this brief treatise of Butler is quite satisfactory. It should be a

text-book in all educational institutions; should be scattered far

and wide through the land."

Here the solemn tones of the church bells told that the hour of

evening service drew near. The doctor started, and said abruptly: "Bless me! Alice, are we to have no tea to-night?"

"Yes; the tea bell rang some minutes ago; but Beulah had not quite

finished her chapter, and I would not interrupt."

As they walked on to the dining room he said: "You two are going to church, I suppose?"

"No; I shall remain with you," answered his wife gently.

"You need not, my dear. I will go with you, if you prefer it."

Beulah did not look up, but she knew that true-hearted wife was

unspeakably happy; and understood why, during tea, she was so quiet,

so unwontedly silent.




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