RANK'S father and mother arrived in
Clifton about two hours after the

accident had occurred. It was a

terrible night for them, as they watched the unconscious form of their little son, all uncertain

whether life or death would be his lot.

The

broken arm had been carefully set, but who could tell what might result from the injury to the head? Pale as death itself, and insensible to all around, Frank lay for many hours, while his parents watched beside him in anxious sus

pense, for it seemed more than possible that his brain had been severely injured. Both his father and the surgeon who had been summoned at the first instance entertained grave fears respecting him, but agreed in thinking that one thing greatly in his favour was the copious bleeding from the wound; and they hoped his state of unconsciousness might chiefly arise from the shock and loss of blood. But it was several hours before this hope was in the least degree confirmed, and then several days of anxious nursing were needed ere he was restored to health.

It seemed to Frank like some long, strange dream from which he was just awaking, when he first noticed his mother's form beside him, and felt her kiss upon his brow as she gently murmured, 'My own boy! Thank God, he is spared!'

Mr. Leslie had returned home an hour or two after his first arrival; but whenever he could spare time from his busy labours, he was sure to visit Clifton, to see how the sick boy progressed.

Frank soon began to recover so rapidly, that

it was scarcely more than a month before he was allowed to return to Hartwell, where, however, he was not worked very heavily for a little while; nor was he able to join in many outof-door games, on account of his arm, which remained weak for some time longer.

Willie Grant and Ben Lawrence were delighted to welcome him back, and the three became, if possible, faster friends than ever. There were no more quarrels that term amongst the trio (not that Willie was often quarrelsome under any circumstances); and, in spite of being invalided, Frank really seemed to improve in his work, for he was now trying with all his might to do whatever duty lay before him, whether it were lessons, or a struggle with some of the many temptations which cross the path of each.

The midsummer term was fast slipping away; much excitement and eager conversation were now going on with regard to the different prizes and scholarships soon to be contended for. Willie Grant felt he had no chance of a prize this term, having been so short a time in his new form; and in the second form there were

various opinions as to whether Leslie, Lawrence, or Knight minor had the best chance. Lawrence had been at school the least time of the three, and had, of course, lost many marks thereby; and Frank's illness had hindered him latterly; so there were good reasons for upholding Knight, a slow but steady little fellow, about equal in attainments to Frank and Ben. There was

always a prize given to each class for the highest number of marks earned in it during the term, and there were others depending only upon the result of the examination.

To some of the junior boys an examination was a new thing, and all felt glad when it was over. Ben was a slow writer, and Frank felt as if he had forgotten half he wanted to put down, until after the papers had been given up. All preferred the viva voce part of the performance, though that was 'bad enough,' they said.

At last it was all over, and the 'Speech Day' arrived. The large schoolroom presented a very different appearance to its usual work-a-day aspect, being gaily decorated with various banners bearing strange devices, and a temporary

stage erected, besides an elaborate arrangement of seats for the many visitors whose presence graced the old College that day.

Frank, as one of the best readers among the juniors, was chosen to recite Gray's well-known poem, The Bard,' which he did with much spirit. Ben had so nearly broken down in the rehearsal of the short piece allotted to him, that Dr. Fuller decided to postpone his appearance before the public for another year; but Willie brought down great applause by a good recitation of Macaulay's lay, 'Horatius Cocles.'

There were other English pieces recited; also portions of a Greek play, some Latin orations, and an extract from Shakspeare's Henry the Fourth, which latter being pretty well acted, gave great amusement to the audience.

Then came the distribution of prizes; and you may imagine our little friends' delight at receiving their well-earned trophies from the hands of Sir Geoffrey Melville.

As every one had expected, the class prize of the Second Form was awarded to Knight minor, while Frank was greatly surprised at