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THE GREAT SECRET.

shrouded with it, although, to the eyes of the woman, the night seemed warm and the sky clear.

Amid this evil darkness and chilly horror two spirits fought and strove valiantly to drive back these loveless and gloomy spirits, to clear the atmosphere from this vile fog, and impress the victim with better thoughts. They had struggled long to gain the victory; two loving spirits against a host of hatreds. They were Adela and Philip at their appointed work, praying for strength, yet soul-sick and wearied with their futile efforts.

As the woman approached her Bible to read, those lean and cold spectres moved her eyes and fingers to those passages which were likely to add to her own bitter thoughts, while Adela pointed to and whispered the words of Hope, Faith and Charity, and while she did this Philip pushed with all his strength to keep back the pressing crowd.

"He has rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

"Set thou a wicked man over him, and let Satan stand at his right hand.

"When he shall be judged, let him be condemned, and let his prayars become sin.

"Let his days be few and another take his office.

"Let the extortioner catch all that he hath, and let the strangers spoil his labour.

"Let there be none to extend mercy unto him.

"Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out."

The fiendish suggesters had made her open the Book