And at times, the conditions are easy and pleasant; but, as Ellen thinks, in the greater existence we are largely weavers of those conditions just as we are here. For, as by perseverance and thrift we improve our earthly conditions, so, as Ellen thinks, by attention to our moral duties we improve our conditions hereafter. And this is as reason teaches, for material conditions can only benefit us here, but the goods of our moral natures we may carry with us, when from death we enter into the new Life."

A

XXI.

NOTHER year had turned its changing circle before Ellen

again visited our mountain. It was in June, when every tree and bush and shrub had donned its new dress. She burst forth from among the leaves as a beautiful vision, radiant in health and sparkling with sunshine.

"The beautiful Ellen," I said, "coming to show the myriads of new leaves how much more beautiful she is than they all; and by the magic wand of that beauty instantaneously gathering every one of them under her sway."

"Ellen's compliments to the old Pine," she replied; "and she wants to know how he has been through the cold winter, that kept Ellen so much of her time within her home, although nearly every day she walked or rode in its icy air. And she could see the old Pine way off up here on the mountain. Some time Ellen's coming up with her snow shoes to see how the old Pine keeps house in winter, and if he's got a nice warm place for her; and to see how the valleys look when winter has spread over them its white mantle. Ellen notices that the old Pine persists in calling her beautiful, when she told him once that she didn't think it a compliment to be called the beautiful."

"Yes," I said, "but the old Pine never more than half believed it. All women like to be called beautiful. Ellen is a woman, and therefore she must like to be called beautiful."

"The old Pine would better believe what Ellen says," she answered, "if he wants to win her love."

"The old Pine well knows," I replied, "that Ellen is a million times better than the beautiful,-that she is the GOOD. And he loves Ellen and adores her not because of her beauty, but because of her goodness. He knows, too, that he will not get her love, unless he deserves it."

"But Ellen doesn't know it half as well," she said, "for he has Ellen's love, and she isn't a bit sure about his deserving it. Ellen thinks he is a great flatterer, and supposes that when Gertrude and Edith come up to see him, he will flatter them as much as he does Ellen. But she didn't come up to-day to talk of flattery. She came to tell how she has been studying all the winter into many things, and wondering if the old Pine would be interested in her story of them."

"And Ellen knows the old Pine will be interested," I answered.

"Then what shall Ellen talk about?"

"The old Pine thought," I said, "that when Ellen came again she would tell him about mathematics."

"The old Pine means Ellen shall be busy. What would he have her tell about mathematics?"

"All about them," I replied.

"And will the old Pine be awfully nice," she said, "and give Ellen some wild strawberries?"

"Yes," I answered, "Ellen shall have all the wild strawberries she can eat."

"Served up on a great big beautiful leaf?"

"Yes," I replied, "for yonder pretty hobble bush, who has