"Oh, I believe then that He is the Christ!" she cried. "I have thought all the time that it might be so, and the children are so sure of it."

"And Uncle Laban?" questioned Joel.

She shook her head sadly. "He grows more bitterly opposed every day."

"Aunt Leah," he asked, coming back to the first question, "don't you think He must have meant me as well as those men?"

"Oh, hardly," she said, hesitatingly, "you are so young, and there are so many others to do it; it would surely be better for you to go to Bethany."

After she had gone home, he put away his tools, and, like one in a dream, started slowly towards the mountain.

The same summer stillness reigned on its shady slopes as when the five hundred had gathered there. He climbed up near the summit, and sat down on a high stone.

To the eastward the Galilee glittered like a sapphire in the sun; Capernaum seemed like a great ant-hill in commotion. No wonder he could not think among all those conflicting voices; he was glad he had come up where it was so still.

Phineas was going away in the morning. If Joel went also, maybe he would never look down on that scene again.

Then almost as if some living voice broke the stillness, he heard the words: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature!" It was the echo of the words that had fallen from the Master's lips. Nothing once uttered by that voice can ever die; it lives on and on in the ever-widening circles of the centuries, as a ripple, once started, rings sh.o.r.eward through the seas.

In that instant all the things he had been considering seemed so small and worthless. He had been planning to give Simon's gold and silver to the poor; but the Master had given them His life, Himself! Could he do less?

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me," something seemed to say to him. Yes; he could do it for the Master's sake, for the One who had healed him, for the One who had died for him.

Then and there, high up in the mountain's solitudes, he found the path he was to follow; and then he wondered how he could have thought for an instant of making any other choice. It was the path the Master's own feet had trod, and the boy who had followed, knew well what a weary way it led.

For his great love's sake, he gave up the old ambitions, the self-centred hopes, saying, in a low tone, as if he felt the beloved Presence very near, "Oh, I want to serve Thee truly! If I am too young now to go out into all the world, let me be Thy little cup-bearer here at home, to carry the story of Thy life and love to those around me!"

The west was all alight with the glory of the sunset; somewhere beyond its burnished portals lay the City of the King. Joel turned from its dazzling depths to look downward into the valley. He had chosen persecution and sacrifice and suffering, he knew, but the light on his face was more than the halo of the summer sunset.

As he went down the mountain to his life of lowly service, a deep peace fell warm across his heart; for the promise went with him, a staff to bear him up through all his after life's long pilgrimage: "LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD!"

THE END Selections from The Page Company's Books for Young People THE BLUE BONNET SERIES Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, ill.u.s.trated, per volume $1.50 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET By CAROLINE E. JACOBS.

"The book's heroine, Blue Bonnet, has the very finest kind of wholesome, honest, lively girlishness."--Chicago Inter-Ocean.

BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND EDYTH ELLERBECK READ.

"A healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--Boston Transcript.

BLUE BONNET IN BOSTON; OR, BOARDING-SCHOOL DAYS AT MISS NORTH'S.

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.

"It is bound to become popular because of its wholesomeness and its many human touches."--Boston Globe.

BLUE BONNET KEEPS HOUSE; OR, THE NEW HOME IN THE EAST.

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.

"It cannot fail to prove fascinating to girls in their teens."--New York Sun.

BLUE BONNET--DeBUTANTE By LELA HORN RICHARDS.

An interesting picture of the unfolding of life for Blue Bonnet.

THE YOUNG PIONEER SERIES By HARRISON ADAMS Each 12mo, cloth decorative, ill.u.s.trated, per volume $1.25 THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE OHIO; OR, CLEARING THE WILDERNESS.

"Such books as this are an admirable means of stimulating among the young Americans of to-day interest in the story of their pioneer ancestors and the early days of the Republic."--Boston Globe.

THE PIONEER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES; OR, ON THE TRAIL OF THE IROQUOIS.

"The recital of the daring deeds of the frontier is not only interesting but instructive as well and shows the sterling type of character which these days of self-reliance and trial produced."--American Tourist, Chicago.

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR, THE HOMESTEAD IN THE WILDERNESS..

"The story is told with spirit, and is full of adventure."--New York Sun.

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSOURI; OR, IN THE COUNTRY OF THE SIOUX.

"Vivid in style, vigorous in movement, full of dramatic situations, true to historic perspective, this story is a capital one for boys."--Watchman Examiner, New York City.

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE YELLOWSTONE; OR, LOST IN THE LAND OF WONDERS.

"There is plenty of lively adventure and action and the story is well told."--Duluth Herald, Duluth, Minn.

THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE COLUMBIA; OR, IN THE WILDERNESS OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST.

"The story is full of spirited action and contains much valuable historical information."--Boston Herald.

THE HADLEY HALL SERIES By LOUISE M. BREITENBACH Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, ill.u.s.trated, per volume $1.50 ALMA AT HADLEY HALL "The author is to be congratulated on having written such an appealing book for girls."--Detroit Free Press.

ALMA'S SOPh.o.m.oRE YEAR "It cannot fail to appeal to the lovers of good things in girls' books."--Boston Herald.

ALMA'S JUNIOR YEAR "The diverse characters in the boarding-school are strongly drawn, the incidents are well developed and the action is never dull."--The Boston Herald.

ALMA'S SENIOR YEAR "Incident abounds in all of Miss Breitenbach's stories and a healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every Chapter."--Boston Transcript.

THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE SERIES By HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, ill.u.s.trated; per volume $1.50 THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE "A book sure to please girl readers, for the author seems to understand perfectly the girl character."--Boston Globe.

PEGGY RAYMOND'S VACATION "It is a wholesome, hearty story."--Utica Observer.

PEGGY RAYMOND'S SCHOOL DAYS The book is delightfully written, and contains lots of exciting incidents.

FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, ill.u.s.trated, per volume $1.50 FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS "More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young readers with historical personages in a pleasant, informal way."--New York Sun.

"It is a book that will stir the heart of every boy and will prove interesting as well to the adults."--Lawrence Daily World.

FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS "Mr. Johnston has done faithful work in this volume, and his relation of battles, sieges and struggles of these famous Indians with the whites for the possession of America is a worthy addition to United States History."--New York Marine Journal.

FAMOUS SCOUTS "It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascination for boys and young men, and while it entertains them it will also present valuable information in regard to those who have left their impress upon the history of the country."--The New London Day.

FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVENTURERS OF THE SEA "The tales are more than merely interesting; they are entrancing, stirring the blood with thrilling force and bringing new zest to the never-ending interest in the dramas of the sea."--The Pittsburgh Post.

FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES OF THE BORDER This book is devoted to a description of the adventurous lives and stirring experiences of many pioneer heroes who were prominently identified with the opening of the Great West.

"The accounts are not only authentic, but distinctly readable, making a book of wide appeal to all who love the history of actual adventure."--Cleveland Leader.

HILDEGARDE-MARGARET SERIES By LAURA E. RICHARDS Eleven Volumes The Hildegarde-Margaret Series, beginning with "Queen Hildegarde" and ending with "The Merryweathers," make one of the best and most popular series of books for girls ever written.

Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, ill.u.s.trated, per volume $1.25 The eleven volumes boxed as a set $13.75 LIST OF t.i.tLES QUEEN HILDEGARDE HILDEGARDE'S HOLIDAY HILDEGARDE'S HOME HILDEGARDE'S NEIGHBORS HILDEGARDE'S HARVEST THREE MARGARETS MARGARET MONTFORT PEGGY RITA FERNLEY HOUSE THE MERRYWEATHERS THE CAPTAIN JANUARY SERIES By LAURA E. RICHARDS Each 12mo, cloth decorative, ill.u.s.trated, per volume. Net, 50 cents; carriage paid, 60 cents CAPTAIN JANUARY A charming idyl of New England coast life, whose success has been very remarkable.

SAME. Ill.u.s.trated Holiday Edition $1.25 SAME, FRENCH TEXT. Ill.u.s.trated Holiday Edition $1.25 MELODY: THE STORY OF A CHILD.

SAME. Ill.u.s.trated Holiday Edition $1.25 MARIE A companion to "Melody" and "Captain January."

ROSIN THE BEAU A sequel to "Melody" and "Marie."

SNOW-WHITE; OR, THE HOUSE IN THE WOOD.

JIM OF h.e.l.lAS; OR, IN DURANCE VILE, and a companion story, BETHESDA POOL.

NARCISSA And a companion story, IN VERONA, being two delightful short stories of New England life.

"SOME SAY"

And a companion story, NEIGHBORS IN CYRUS.

NAUTILUS "'Nautilus' is by far the best product of the author's powers, and is certain to achieve the wide success it so richly merits."

ISLA HERON This interesting story is written in the author's usual charming manner.

THE LITTLE MASTER "A well told, interesting tale of a high character."--California Gateway Gazette.

DELIGHTFUL BOOKS FOR LITTLE FOLKS By LAURA E. RICHARDS THREE MINUTE STORIES Cloth decorative, 12mo, with eight plates in full color and many text ill.u.s.trations by Josephine Bruce.

Net $1.25; carriage paid $1.40 "Little ones will understand and delight in the stories and poems."--Indianapolis News.

FIVE MINUTE STORIES Cloth decorative, square 12mo, ill.u.s.trated $1.25 A charming collection of short stories and clever poems for children.

MORE FIVE MINUTE STORIES Cloth decorative, square 12mo, ill.u.s.trated $1.25 A noteworthy collection of short stories and poems for children, which will prove as popular with mothers as with boys and girls.

FIVE MICE IN A MOUSE TRAP Cloth decorative, square 12mo, ill.u.s.trated $1.25 The story of their lives and other wonderful things related by the Man in the Moon, done in the vernacular from the lunacular form by Laura E. Richards.

WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE Cloth, 8vo, ill.u.s.trated $1.25 The t.i.tle most happily introduces the reader to the charming home life of Doctor Howe and Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, during the childhood of the author.

A HAPPY LITTLE TIME Cloth, 8vo, ill.u.s.trated $1.25 Little Betty and the happy time she had will appeal strongly to mothers as well as to the little ones who will have this story read to them, and appeal all the more on account of its being such a "real" story.

THE BOYS' STORY OF THE RAILROAD SERIES By BURTON E. STEVENSON Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, ill.u.s.trated, per volume $1.50 THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST.

"A thrilling story, well told, clean and bright. The whole range of section railroading is covered in the story, and it contains information as well as interest."--Chicago Post.

THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER "A vivacious account of the varied and often hazardous nature of railroad life, full of incident and adventure, in which the author has woven admirable advice about honesty, manliness, self-culture, good reading, and the secrets of success."--Congregationalist.

THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER "It is a book that can be unreservedly commended to anyone who loves a good, wholesome, thrilling, informing yarn."--Pa.s.saic News.

THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, ALLAN WEST'S CHUM.

"The story is intensely interesting, and one gains an intimate knowledge of the methods and works in the great car shops not easily gained elsewhere."--Baltimore Sun.

"It appeals to every boy of enterprising spirit, and at the same time teaches him some valuable lessons in honor, pluck, and perseverance."--Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"The lessons that the books teach in development of uprightness, honesty and true manly character are sure to appeal to the reader."--The American Boy.

THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS (Trade Mark) By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON Each large 12mo, cloth, ill.u.s.trated, per volume $1.50 THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES (Trade Mark) Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner Series, "The Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of Kentucky," and "The Giant Scissors," in a single volume.

THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING-SCHOOL (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHRISTMAS VACATION (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOR (Trade Mark) THE LITTLE COLONEL'S KNIGHT COMES RIDING (Trade Mark) MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM (Trade Mark) MARY WARE IN TEXAS MARY WARE'S PROMISED LAND These twelve volumes, boxed as a set, $18.00.

SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITIONS Each small quarto, cloth decorative, per volume $1.25 New plates, handsomely ill.u.s.trated with eight full-page drawings in color, and many marginal sketches.

THE LITTLE COLONEL (Trade Mark) TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY THE GIANT SCISSORS BIG BROTHER THE JOHNSTON JEWEL SERIES Each small 16mo, cloth decorative, with frontispiece and decorative text borders, per volume Net $0.50 IN THE DESERT OF WAITING: THE LEGEND OF CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN.

THE THREE WEAVERS: A FAIRY TALE FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS AS WELL AS FOR THEIR DAUGHTERS.

KEEPING TRYST: A TALE OF KING ARTHUR'S TIME.

THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME: A FAIRY PLAY FOR OLD AND YOUNG.

THE JESTER'S SWORD * * * * *

THE LITTLE COLONEL'S GOOD TIMES BOOK Uniform in size with the Little Colonel Series $1.50 Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold Net 3.00 Cover design and decorations by Peter Verberg.

"A mighty attractive volume in which the owner may record the good times she has on decorated pages, and under the directions as it were of Annie Fellows Johnston."--Buffalo Express.