young people have fluttered about with each other at balls and other social pleasures.

If the intercourse of social life were more noble, natural and simple, if young men and women could meet and become acquainted with each other, during their occupation, at their work-places, in academies, or in Christian societies, formed for useful and good social purposes, they would then be attracted to each other by the interest of a common worthy purpose, by noble emulation, by friendly mutual aid; they would then become acquainted with each other, not merely by the external, but above all by the inner man, by heart, will, and ability. Then certainly many more and much happier marriages would be contracted than is the case under existing circumstances, and those half, or criminal connections, which at present people the world with so sorrowfully increasing a number of illegitimate children, would, of a certainty, be greatly decreased. The true love would then have fair-play against the false. Whereas the latter only is favoured by our artificial social life.

We do not know whether the people of Kungsköping said so or not, but we know that Dr. Hedermann and his wife, as well as the sensible Mimmi Svanberg, would not contradict these ideas, founded on many observations made behind the scenes, by a participator in the world's drama of life.

But we will now return to our Kungsköping, to relate an occurrence which took place there, during the time of Yngve's visit to his native land, after his first short absence abroad, and before his second long and sorrowful

one.

It will, however, be best introduced by the account of

A CONTESTED ELECTION.

THE directors of the Kungsköping Infant-School are assembled, both gentlemen and ladies.

"No, that shall not be," exclaimed Mrs. Tupplander with a shrill voice; "no, I will never give my vote in her favour. The woman who has had an illegitimate child is not a fit person to be the Superintendent of the InfantSchool. How would it look? A pretty example would hers be for others to follow! That I know of a certainty."

"But," said Mimmi Svanborg mildly, "when she now sets so good an example of maternal tenderness, fulfilment of duty, industry, and many good qualities."

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'What's the use of it?" screamed Mrs. Tupplander, "when she has an illegitimate child, which proves beyond everything how virtuous she has been. No, far better take Miss Von Schaf, who has no blemish on her reputation, or Mrs. Meritander, who has brought up seven children herself, and is, in every respect, a meritorious person."

"But," said the pastor's wife, "Miss Von Schaf is a weak woman, who has no authority, would command no respect, and Mrs. Meritander is too sharp-tempered and severe, her own children are not the best proof of her ability for the instruction of children. Of the three who are proposed for this situation, it seems to me, that Amalia is incalculably the best fitted for the purpose, although I concede that it is an annoying circumstance

that she is not free from blame. But she has conducted herself in an exemplary way for several years, and has during Mrs. N.'s long illness, now for two years, attended both to her and the infant-school in a manner which is really admirable."

"But then she has a blemished reputation," shrieked Mrs. Tupplander; "that is the case neither with Miss Von Schaf nor Mrs. Meritander. Who knows Amalia Hård's merits? Very few; but everybody knows that she has an illegitimate child, which she has the shameless--the peculiarity, I will say, of not concealing, but always keeping with her."

"But she never goes into society," remarked a voice; it was that of Hertha.

"What does it matter," replied Mrs. Tupplander, "whether she is out or in; it is quite sufficient that she has her child with her, and that it is illegimate. She shall never have my support. It will be a discredit to the whole school. One must pay some attention to what people think and say: one must have some regard to chastity and good morals. What would the world Say?"

Many of the directors took Mrs. Tupplander's view of the case, and the debate began to be hot and stormy, when Yngve Nordin requested attention to a few words which he had to say.

"Allow me to inquire; are we not all agreed that Amalia Hård is, both by her own wishes and ability, and especially by her motherly disposition towards the children, the most suitable of the three candidates for the situation of teacher in the school?"

Many voices assented to this.

"Very well," continued Yngve; "then let our object be the greatest benefit of the children, and let us take the best instructress for them, and leave the world to say what it likes."

forth will call thee illegitimate! God has forgiven thy mother!"

"And thy father also!" said a low manly voice, and with that Yngve's brother laid his hand on the boy's head.

When Amalia rose from her knees she was clasped in Hertha's sisterly embrace. After that Amalia's husband led her up to Yngve, saying, "Let us both thank him, who taught me my duty towards thee and our child, and who rendered it possible for me henceforth to raise you up."

Yngve's brother was also a handsome young man, but of a weaker character than his elder, manlier brother.

"Let us now eat and drink on the affair!" said the little pastor cheerfully, "because there cannot be a real Swedish wedding without both eating and drinking; and it does not do to hurry over marriages as those mad people, the English and the Americans, do; just get the ring on the bride's finger, then into a carriage, and drive away to the world's end. No: let us follow our forefathers' jog-trot manners; they never forgot, on any suitable occasion, both to eat and to drink; and, therefore, do you now follow me to the bridal feast!"

And with that the pastor went out, down stairs, and led the little company into the school-room, which they found. sanded and strewn with fir-twigs, and in the middle a wellcovered table, at which Mimmi Svanberg and the pastor's wife were very busy.

This was a surprise for Amalia and Hertha. But there is no need for us to say how agreeable was the entertainment, spiced as it was with good-will and cordiality.

On the afternoon of the same day, Yngve departed with his younger brother, the former to be re-called by Hertha whenever she could give him the hope of a favourable turn in their affairs, as regarded the future.

The people of Kungsköping, who in our story occupy the place of chorus in the Greek drama, made many edifying and moral reflections upon this marriage, which upon the whole was approved of, as quite in order, although Mrs. Uggla and many other good souls shook their heads as to its future prospects. Amalia in the mean time rose in the regards and favour of the town, and Mrs. Tupplander's enmity was stranded upon her good conduct and the stedfastness of her friends.

With respect to our other friends and acquaintance in Kungsköping during the last seven years, we may state that Mimmi Svanberg continued to be the councillor and the helper of all in the town, whence she was called by various of her friends, "the town-councillor." We see her always active; now with a myrtle crown for a bride; now present at a funeral; now making a collection for a cripple who needed the water-cure; now with a little bundle of coffee and sugar and fine bread under her cloak, hastening forth in the twilight to take a little joy into a poor home; or at a great ball amid joke and earnest, enticing people to help one another, without their being aware of it. Always cheerful, always kind, spinning a multitude of threads of mercy, on purpose to catch somebody in them, she seemed to be always devising some new joyous mode of obliging people, and showing how happy any one may be by so doing.

Many wondered how Mimmi Svanberg with only small means herself could yet have the opportunity of doing so much for others.

My means," said she on one occasion, with a smile in reply to such a remark, "are human hearts, and our Lord's help."

And, after all, these ought to be the surest funds. But one must first put trust in them.

Eva Dufva blossomed as a rose at the parsonage, embraced with unspeakable love by her adopted parents,