No one but God can help you out. This is one reason why, Bessie, many
people can do things that you can not.

"Satan aimed his first blow at the conscience; for if he can silence it,
then he can lead the soul deeper and deeper into sin."




CHAPTER VII.


A DOWNWARD STEP.

"I have good news for you, Bessie," said Mrs. Worthington as Bessie came
skipping into the room from her play. "Your papa and I have decided to
leave our little home here in Chicago and buy a home in Michigan."

"Oh, how nice!" exclaimed Bessie, who was still in her eighth year.
"Shall we live with Aunt Emma again?"

"Yes, or rather she will live with us," said her mother, smiling. "Your
auntie's health is very poor, and she is tired of the responsibility of
farming; so we'll relieve her."

The following weeks were happy ones for Bessie. The Lord had been good
to her in many ways. He had given her a little baby brother to love and
care for, and now she was about to have a pleasant home in the country.
She had not forgotten the good times she had enjoyed on the farm with
her little sister, and she was very eager for the month of August to