many of these evils to the uniform and universal neglect with which they were treated, and the prevalent lack of sympathy with them in their poverty and distress, they at once recognized in his words an appeal to them from God to go beyond mere personal considerations, however laudable, and to devote themselves to the cause of the poor and to the amelioration of their condition. Such was the modest beginning of the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul. From that day the blessing of God seems to have continued with the Society in a wonderful manner. New members were soon enlisted in their ranks, edified by their good works, and anxious to have a share in the golden merits they were reaping in the harvest of the Lord. So rapidly did their numbers increase that they were obliged to divide the Conference into branch societies, to each of which was allotted a district in which the good work should be carried on in subordination to the Conference from which they sprung. From Paris it quickly extended to the different cities and towns of France, and everywhere it went it carried with it blessings to the poor, whom to relieve, to help, to educate, to elevate and refine had now become its grand aim and purpose. Its members, who were actuated with the spirit of Jesus, who loved the poor and sinners, listened with patient and attentive ears to the complaints of the poor. To none was ever spoken a word of reproach. They were not upbraided for their miseries, even though their own follies and vices had been the cause. In the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, they were ever sure to find sympathizing friends, who would give them substantial aid and relief. They received even more care than this; for these good men did not wait for the poor to come to them with their tales of sorrow and of suffering, but of their own accord they visited the habitations of the poor they ascended to their garrets-they descended to the meanest slums where human beings dwelt, not only with lips laden with kind words of sympathy, but with hands filled with what brought them comfort and relief. It is not a matter of wonder that a society animated with its spirit, and giving such evidence of its practical sympathy with the poor, should first win for itself their respect and confidence, and finally their esteem and love. Who shall ever estimate the numbers of unfortunates who were thus reclaimed from vice, and won back to religion and to God? The secret is hidden in the bosom of God, but no one who has heard or read of the labors of the members of the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul, can doubt that thousands who else had perished outright were through them brought to the knowledge and the love of God. The poor learned that they had in them real genuine friends, and they gave them in return their fullest trust, hearkened to their advice, followed their counsel, and corresponded with all their wishes. great change was soon wrought among them, and its effects were everywhere visible. A From France the Conferences were soon brought to Italy, and were established in Rome. The Holy Father gave it his approval, enriched it with his Apostolic blessing and many indulgences, and thus secured its triumphant success. Thence it travelled to England, Ireland, Scotland, to Germany, next crossed the seas, and established itself in Mexico, and last of all came to our own beloved country, where it has found a genial home, where it continues to flourish, and where it daily dispenses its bounty to the worthy poor without pretence or publicity, but none the less efficiently for that very cause. It was established in the year 1833, in the modest manner to which allusion has been made, and in less than ten years it had spread over the larger part of the Christian world. It is carried on now with the same vigor and energy that characterized it from the beginning. Its members to-day are animated with the same spirit as its original founders, obey the rules faithfully, and thus insure blessings to themselves, and a continuance of the success which has ever attended their Society. Its membership is composed of laymen who belong to the respective parishes in districts in which the Conference has been lawfully established. They bind themselves by no vow or promise, assume no responsibility, burden themselves with no exacting duties. Their labors are entirely voluntary, and from this source derive their chief merit. Once a week they meet at some stated place, open their meeting with prayer, read some edifying spiritual book, and then devote themselves to the applications which have been forwarded to them for relief or assistance. Certain members are then appointed by the President of the Conference, whose duty it is to visit the individual or the family indicated, investigate their condition, and when found to be in need or in distress, to report their application favorably at the next meeting of the Conference, which thereupon furnishes the required help. In this way is secured an intelligent distribution of their charities, the worthy poor only receiving the benefits. Once in the month the members approach the holy communion in a body, although there is no rule compelling or requiring attendance. It is, however, of counsel, and where the right spirit prevails, is generally complied with. Beyond this, membership in the Conference exacts no obligations, except those which pertain to all Christians to be good and edifying members of society. It will at once be seen that this association of men banded together for the same purpose, and by advice and example helping each other in the discharge of their duties, gives to such as belong to it an advantage over those who receive no such encouragements. We ought not to conclude without a reference, though it be a brief one, to the admirable Catholic spirit which pervades this Society, and to which belongs in great measure its success. It is subordinated in everything to the approval of the Church. Each Comference has a chaplain with whom the members consult, and with whom they act in unison, and whose consent and approval are requested before every undertaking, especially where it may be outside the range of the regular duties demanded of them. This subordination to ecclesiastical superiors goes on through every branch of the Conference, through the particular Council of each diocese, even up to the Superior Council at Paris. This obedience is required from every individual member, and is regarded as the best test which could be given of the prevailing spirit of each Society. Hence no collision can ever occur between the members and the ecclesiastical authorities, and any minor difficulties which might arise from time to time can be adjusted by reference to a Superior Council. This is the spirit of the constitutions and rules which govern the Society, and fidelity to this spirit has found its recompense in the flourishing condition of the Conferences throughout the entire world. They are dispensing blessings on every side. They are showing to the world what Christian. charity is. They are teaching the unbelievers and heretics that the Church, whose dutiful children they are, is fresh and vigorous, and willing and able to carry on the good work which was begun by her divine founder, Jesus Christ, of consoling, of comforting, of ministering to the poor, whom he said his Church should have always with her. The Church is as rich and powerful in her good works, in the faith and piety of her children, as at any former period of her existence. She is doing all in her power to ameliorate the condition of mankind. She is striving without ceasing to keep alive the faith of Jesus upon the earth. She endeavors, too, to keep alive the fire of divine charity, that men may feel its warmth and partake of its blessings. In the meantime she is powerfully aided by the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, and the spirit of Christian charity which she has striven so hard to cultivate, is promoted by this the youngest child begotten of her immeasurable love for God's poor. May this Conference continue to flourish, and may charity, which is of God, fill the hearts of all Christians, so that they may love him, serve him, extend his kingdom on earth and promote his glory in heaven. CHAPTER I. THE MORGANS. THE MORGAN GIRLS AT HOME. THERE were three of them, Agnes, Rosalie, and Katharine. Agnes and Rosalie were twins, and were just entering on their twentieth year. They were beautiful girls; both blondes ; yet differing from each other considerably, both in appearance and disposition. Perhaps it was this very dissimilarity that strengthened the natural affection existing between them, and made them almost inseparable companions. They were both accomplished, having "graduated" a couple of years before our story opens at a celebrated educational institution of Western New York. They still considered their graduating crosses as badges of highest distinction; and were still so loyal to a more unworldly honor, as to wear their large silver sodality medals at all times conspicuously on their per sons. We have introduced the youngest of the Morgan girls by her baptismal name, Katharine, but she was always called Kittie. "She will have to grow tall and stately to bear her name with dignity," the pretty, sentimental mother used to say, in little Katharine's babyhood; "and now she has such clinging, coaxing, caressing ways that Kittie' just suits her." As she has not thus far grown tall or stately, or lost the pretty ways that had won her home name for her, Kittie she remained, much to the satisfaction of Joe, the only son and junior member of the household, who had all a small boy's fondness for jokes, and who never wearied of repeating this remarkable one of his own invention: "We have three Kitties at our house, the two cats and Kittie Morgan." Kittie, being small in stature, of brunette complexion, with dark eyes and hair, in no way resembled her lily-like sisters. Neither was she what might be called accomplished, for on account of severe losses which her father sustained in business, Kittie was removed from the convent when she was but fourteen; her parents finding the expenses attendant upon the education of "the twins," as much and almost more than they could provide for at the time. James Morgan was a contractor, and had been a very successful one; but now business became dull. He was often out of employment for three or four months at a time. Meanwhile the family had to live, and appearances had to be kept up to a certain extent. Of course, debts began to accumulate. Then,-for James Morgan would defraud no one, he began to sell off portions of the property he had made in the days of his prosperity, until at last he possessed nothing but the family residence, that even being mortgaged for nearly half its value. Though her stay in the convent had been comparatively short, yet Kittie had profited better than her more brilliant sisters, by the lessons of piety and self-sacrifice which the good sisters endeavored to impress upon the hearts of their pupils. But as she had not remained long enough at school to graduate, her sisters, of course, considered her education very incomplete. It was an understood thing in the family, that she was to return to the convent "next year," or "when the Vanderhoff suit was decided in papa's favor." Three years had passed by, however, and Kittie felt convinced in her own mind that her schooldays were ended. Yet she could write an interesting letter, and could even play dance-music and accompaniments. Better still, she was expert with her needle, and had a decided taste for housekeeping. deed, since they could afford to keep but one servant, Kittie had taken so active a part in domestic duties that the family scarcely felt the change. These homely facts, however, were carefully concealed from all outsiders; for though they had retrenched many expenses, they still "kept up appearances" bravely. ing this, it would be very injudicious, according to their way of thinking, to let the cold, hard world know just how matters stood. And the mother agreed-she always agreed with Agnes and Rosalie-and James Morgan tried to be of the same opinion; for when had he contradicted in anything his fair, delicate wife and the beautiful and beloved twins? Yet there was something in this same keeping up of appearances, which raised vague misgivings in his honest heart at times, and which emptied his never very full purse with marvellous rapidity; making him low-spirited enough whenever the half-yearly interest on that dreadful mortgage was coming due. But he was a man of sanguine temperament, always hoping for "something to turn up ;" and, as he used to say, surely every time that he felt as if the worst had come, something did happen to provide for the present emergency; and he, poor man, had somehow got into the habit of looking no further. Then there was all the money that Vanderhoff owed him, and now that he had gone to law about it, he would certainly recover his own some time. The suit of Morgan versus Vanderhoff had been five years in litigation already, and so far no one was any the richer save the lawyers. It was in part to raise money to carry on this suit that he had mortgaged his home. There were grand old residences in the long-settled aristocratic quarters of Sedgewick, and lovely villaIn- like dwellings on the picturesque banks of the river that flowed through this fair Eastern city; but none of them, in James Morgan's eyes, were more beautiful than this home of his which he had planned and built in his early manhood, and which he loved as men like him love the place that shelters their heart's treasures. "When papa gets into steady employment again, everything will be all right," said the twins; and await The house was of stone, spacious and substantially built. A handsome lawn, shaded by a few large maples, and brightened by tastefully arranged beds of scarlet geraniums, extended in front of it, sloping gently towards the street. Behind the house, and partly hidden from view by a neat lattice, was a well-laid-out fruit and vegetable garden. The interior arrangement of the house was marked by that elegant simplicity so dear to refined taste. Most of the furniture was heavy and quaint; among the family treasures were a few fine paintings, a massive silver tea-service, and much rare old china. Then the house was adorned with curiosities from distant lands, for one of Mrs. Morgan's brothers had been captain of a trading vessel, and never returned from a voyage without bringing some souvenirs of his travels to beautify his favorite sister's home. On this dark and chilly afternoon in late October, a more cheerfullooking spot than the Morgan's back parlor could not be found in Sedgewick, nor elsewhere, for that matter. A fire glowed in the polished grate, diffusing light as well as warmth. Mrs. Morgan, who was quite an invalid, was taking her usual siesta; and Joe had not yet returned from school, so the girls had the apartment to themselves. "Oh, dear!" cried Rosalie, pettishly; "I wonder whether it would be an unpardonable sin to ask papa for five dollars? I can do nothing with this overdress; it's torn and ripped and soiled, and it can't be washed. If I had money enough to buy some new tarlatan, and a few yards of blue grosgrain ribbon, I wouldn't despair of making a respectable appearance at Mrs. Carroll's on Tuesday evening. But as it is—” "Well, but we needn't go there;" interrupted Agnes, closing her book. "Needn't go!-when you want to go yourself as much as I do! But of course you can be independent, since mamma had her blue silk fixed up for you. I don't think papa would refuse me such a trifle, but I hate to ask him; he looks so solemn and low-spirited these days." "We shouldn't be surprised at that, Rosalie, when the first instalment of the mortgage comes due next month, and Mr. Williamson says he will foreclose immediately if it is not paid," rejoined Kittie; "but you need not be uneasy about your dress, for you can have my tarlatan. I have worn it only once, and I think the whole dress will make a nice waist and overskirt for you. I know mamma won't mind." "Oh, Kittie, you're a perfect darling! but then, of course, you don't care for such things yourself, and you're 'most too young to go to parties, anyhow." "I do care, Rosalie, and you know very well I wanted to go to Mrs. Carroll's, for I was never invited to a grown-up party before; but I'd much rather stay home than have you tease papa for money now. "Kittie, you have a very ungracious way of doing a favor, and you should not speak so sharply to one older than yourself; it's very unbecoming;" said stately Agnes in her stateliest tones. "There; go get the dress till we see what can be done with it." "Oh, Ag, how you love to boss 'round!" cried Joe, who had just come in from school. "If I was Kittie I wouldn't stand it a minute. I think you're horrid mean to take her dress, Rose Morgan; and she's a big goose-no, I mean a little one-to let you have it. Oh, Kittie!" as that young lady made her appearance with her arms full of the airy fabric, "haven't you something good to eat for a feller that's halfstarved, and won't you make plum tarts for supper?" But Joe's requests for the moment passed unheeded. "Of course," Rosalie was saying, "Mr. Sherwood will be there. By the way, Agnes, I heard, the other day, that he was paying marked at |