Year: 1873

She ought to be with John and yourself. Do not
tell him you have received this letter from me-
In haste, yours affectionatey, NkLhih'


NV surprise, on reading the above, can we'll
beimagined. 1t was but natural that should
think Mr.. Howard was, in some way, the
cause of Nellies letter; but My trust in Mel
lie was still mistaken. That he was capable
of trying to compromise her, knew; but it
was only on that account, and not because l
thought she would do anything unbecoming
her position as Johns wife, that l determined
I would not rest until I had removed her
from that influence.


The most difficult question in my mind
was, how to break the subject to John, with
out making him anxious. I decided would
90 to Clifton myself Once there, | could
very well make some excuse for Mary to re-
turn with me.


John gave in to my plans very readily.
He said he thought the change would do me
good but fancy the principal reason of his
acquiescing, was the hope that Mary would
return with me- He promised he would take
care of aunt Patsy the few days I would be
absent; so with a sad and anxious heart, l
left home, the first time, for years.


was met with great affection by the fami-
ly at Clifton; but think Mary was better
pleased to see me than any member OF the
household. She went with me to my room,
and we sat there talking for hours She made
me tell her every thing about home, and
proved, by her questions, that she kept US IN
loving remembrance.


As the dinner bell rang, turned to her
and said: "Has my little sister nothing to
tell me about herself?"


"No nothing" she answered, hurriedly, Eek
cept that I am delighted that you have come,
and that am going to return with you


II am very glad, Mary; Elmwood has been
gloomy enough without you. do not think
the air of Clifton agrees with you; you are
not looking well.'


"Oh yes, I am well-that is"


"What, Mary?"


"Nothing; only sometimes feel as if it
would be better, perhaps, for those love, if l
were not to live long. don't think would
be sorry to die, believing that"


"HusS! my darling. You must not speak
so lightly Of death. I trust God will grant
you long and happy life. You know I ex-
pect to be the aunt Patsy of Johns and your
household but come let us 60 to dinner"


Mary remained with me so constantly that
I did not have an opportunity of hearing what
Nellie had to tell me, until 1 had been at
Clifton day or two. I was only waiting to
hear this, to return home. Mr.. Howards
name had not been mentioned by any, up to
this time. Nellie madethe excuse of wishing
to show me some improvement she was ma
king on the lawn, in order to have private
conversation. AS weleft the room, l observed
that Mary was looking at me, with pleading
expression in her eyes, that almost said: "Do
not think evil of me" could not resist the
impulse to give her kiss, and as did so' she
murmured: "You promised John you would
always love me-" Before [ could answer,
Nellie called me, and we left the room togeth-
er. My impatience was such that l said as
soon as we were alone


"Now Nellie, tell me everything"


"I scarcely know where to begin, Matte
for this thing seems to have been going on
ever since we came to Clifton"


"Well, then, begin from that time"


"I am convinced" said Nellie, "that odious
Henrietta Lewis is at the bottom of the whole
affair. I found, when I arrived here, that
through her letters she had spread the report
every where that Mary and Mr.. Howard were
still very much attached to each other. 10
prove this, she gave an account of an inter-
view which took place between them at her
house, which believe to be false from begin
ming to end. But the worst feature is, that
Mr.. Howard, instead of resenting any report
of this kind, seems rather to countenance it,
and has been paying devoted attention to Mary
ever since she came to the neighborhood."


"And is this why you wrote to me to send
for Mary"


"No; the fact is, Matte, I dislike to tell
even you, what saw that day. cannot be-
lieve that Mary is guilty; but certainly ap'
pearances are against her"


"What was it you saw"


"She asked me, one morning, if l would
send note to Mr.. Howard for her. thought
it strange request, but of course, consent
ed. That note was to appoint an interview
for the following morning. He came early,
and remained for several hours. They were
alone in the library-company being in the
parlor-and I, forgetting they were there
went in to get book for Harry. MIR. How
ard was seated on the sofa, with both of Ma
rvs hands in his I did not notice her looks
but his were decidedly lover-like. came
out directly, and wrote that letter to you"


"Have you said anything to Harry about
it9"


ooh! no, Matte; if we are to be disgraced
by Johns wife, let us keep it to ourselves"


"Hush Nellie, you must not speak in that
way of Mary. We are not disgraced, yet
and, I trust, never will be. have perfect
faith and confidence in her. You did right
to send me that letter. We will 60 home to-
morrow"


When 1 told Mary Of my intention. she
said


"Could you wait one day longer, Mattie?'


"Certainly, if you wish it. Is it because
you do not feel we'll enough to travel?"


"No, that is not the reason; l have some