The age-herald., 1900-08-26

tered, much to his companion's chagrfn.
 Mollie found great difficulty in keeping brave and cheerful face during that trying time, and her parents often gazed at her with looks of deep anxiety. Her cheeks be- gan to lose their healthy color and her stsep it's briskness.
 October and November passed and De- cember was well on it's way, and still no news came. Mollie had almost ceased to hope, and one morning went down to breakfast in an unusually depressed frame of mind.
 Her football was so soft that Florence Seymour, the only occupant of the break fast-room, did not hear it.
 She was stoopng over the fire reading a letter, evidently preparatory to consignng it to the flames The envelope she still held in her other hand, and Mollie saw Nith a thrill of horror and astonishment tfat it was addressed to herself. In the same glance she recognized Basils hand writing, and her heart gave a leap of de- light, though her voice was terrible in it's accusing sternness.
 What are you doing with my letter. Florence?" she asked.
 With startled scream the girl flung it amongst the glowing coals. but Mollie was too quick and snatched it out before it had even time to scorch.
 Without stopping to read it she turned tos Florence. After this we can never again be friends,p she said.
 Flofence felt upon her knees "Oh, for give me!' she cried. T loved him soi''
 You loved him? My lover?"
 Yes Can you wonder?'
 oh, keep away from me! Do not touch me! Let me read what he has written" +
 Miss Seymour retreated to the other side of the fireplace, and presently slunk away to her own room.
 MeanNs-e. Molle read her letter.
 My Darling-Forgive my still calling you so cannot help It. To me you will always be the one woman in the world, whether you ever pardon me or not. It nearly broke my heart to find that you would not answer my last letter, and Miss Seymour tells me that she is afraid you will never soften to- wards me. Indeed, Mollie, believe me, I have faithfully kept my VOW. Can you not trust me and love me you used to do? nave never lied to you, and I swear that what now say is true. If you will not yet see me, at least send me one word of com fort for Christmas time. I am willing that you should prove me still longer if you so desire, but do not, do not banish me for ever-Always your devoted Basil"
 By the time she had finished reading, the tears rained down Mollie's face. How cruel how hard he must have thought her, while she was hungering for a sight of his dear face, wearing her very heart away in bitter grief for his supposed weakness. An, she could never forgive Florence! Never, never! And such a flood of anger swept over her as she had never before experienced.
 But it was not in Mo1lie's sweet, forgiv- ing nature to harbor resentment for long, and as she thought of those words, T loved him sol" pity succeeded anger. Mr. and Mrs. Dunco1nbe were soon in- formed of all the cruel history, and their first impulse was to turn Florence out then and there, but their daughter pleaded for her so earnestly that they soon decided pn gentler measures.
 But Miss Seymour did not wait to see what treatment she would receive. At lunch time it was discovered that she had departed without a word to anyone. telegram was dispatched to Basil, and before evening he was once more at Fair holme
 These months had altered him, too, but though his face had grown thinner, 1t now wore a look of manly resolution, which added greatly to it's strength. When he was made acquainted with what had happened, his surprise and horror may be better imagined than described; but, in the joy of their bhssful reunion, he and Mollie could afford to forgive her who had so nearly wrecked their happiness forever.