doorway of his future home, he poured out his heart before Almighty
God, and vowed he would not go back any farther than he was, and that
he would strive, with all his heart, to do God's will.

As the sun began to go down behind the hills to the west of him,
Robert started home. Flecks of cloudlets began to redden, and the
denser strata of clouds took on a deep purple, as the western sky
blazed out in a marvel of beauty. And Robert thought, truly, that
"the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his
handiwork"; why could not man glorify Him better?

Mary saw at once that Robert wore a troubled expression on his face.
Robert saw that Mary sensed that something was wrong. As soon as he
could, he went in and sat by Mary's side.

"Mary, dear, I know that you will be ashamed of me, when I tell you
what I have done," said Robert.

"My, Robert, what have you done?" cried Mary, "you look so troubled
and gloomy."

"Mary, I am sorry to tell you what I have done, but I will hide
nothing and will tell you all about it," said he. "You remember that
chickenhouse we prevented Jake from moving that day? Well, he met me
at the place today and called me a liar and said that I had insulted
his father. Before I hardly knew what I was doing I hit Jake and we
had a fight. I finally beat him, and he promised to behave. I felt
just like giving up, Mary, and never trying to serve the Lord any
more. But I promise you, dear, that I will not go back." And great big
tears of hearty contrition rolled down Robert's face, and Mary, all