THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 125 
grateful. When they had reached the boat to 
recross the lake, Davidson begged to be excused 
from thus returning, giving as a reason that he 
wished to make a few sketches, and would walk 
home around the head of the lake in the evening. 
Before the day closed circumstances indi¬ 
cated the influence which had been exerted 
over the minds of the two young men by the 
incidents just narrated, and which showed that 
new light and new impulses had been given to 
both. 
Davidson visited a neighboring farmer, of 
whom he made a purchase of one of his best 
cows, which he directed to be driven to the 
widow, with strict injunctions not to reveal the 
name of the person who sent it. To say that, 
after this kind act, he was the subject of a new 
class of emotions is but to credit him with the 
common feelings of humanity; but in justice 
to his kindly act it must be added that, as he 
thought of the gentle and suffering Alice, and 
in imagination saw the glow of gratitude and 
joy which would light up her pale countenance, 
he was conscious of a thrill of pleasure to 
which he had been an entire stranger. He was 
very happy, and felt that he was so because he 
