CHRISTOPHER'S TRIALS:

A STORY OF COUNTRY LIFE. By the Author of "Goldstone," "The Sunset of a Life," &c.

CHAPTER I.-A TALK ABOUT MATRIMONY.

IN a small back room (half parlour and half kitchen) behind a small, very small shop, where business was carried on in the "general line," sat a comely, oldfashioned woman, busily talking to her son, who had travelled several miles on purpose to see her.

It was evening, and the shop was shut up, for the early closing movement had commenced there long

before it was agitated in the metropolis, so that there was no likelihood of their conversation being disturbed by customers; and as it turned upon the important subject of matrimony, it was desirable that they should be able to pursue it without interruption.

"So you are going to get married, Christopher?" "Yes, mother, please God."

"Are you thinking of pleasing Him in the matter?" she asked, in her quick, sharp way, as she looked steadily at her son.

He did not seem discomposed by her question. "No, mother, not as you mean it," he said, quietly: "all I meant was, that Dorothy and I have fixed our wedding for next month, and that I hoped nothing would happen to hinder it."

B