rd, greatly disconcerted to
see the effect of her delicate breaking of the news. "Perhaps it's not
as bad as it seems."

"Oh, what is it? what is it? I can't bear this suspense. Why don't you
tell me?" and she trembled so violently and looked so deadly pale that
Mrs Shuckleford began to get alarmed.

"There, there," said she soothingly; "I'll tell you another time.
You're not equal to it now. I'll come in to-morrow, or the next day,
when you've had a good night's rest, poor dear."

"For pity's sake tell me all now!" gasped Mrs Cruden; "unless you want
to kill me."

It dawned at last on the well-meaning Mrs Shuckleford that no good was
being done by prolonging her neighbour's suspense any further.

"Well, well! It's only that I'm afraid he's been doing something--
well--dreadful. Oh, Mrs Cruden, how sorry I am for you!"

Mrs Cruden lay motionless, like one who had received a stab.

"What has he done?" she whispered slowly.

"I don't know, dear--really I don't," said Mrs Shuckleford, beginning
to whimper at the sight of the desolation she had caused. "It was Sam,
my son, told me--he wouldn't say what it was--and I 'ope you won't let
'im know it was me you 'eard it from, Mrs Cruden, for he'd be very--
Mercy on us!"

Mrs Cruden had fainted.

Help was summoned, and she was carried to her bed. When Horace arrived
shortly afterwards he found her still unconscious, with Mrs Shuckleford
bathing her forehead, and tending her most gently.

"You had better run for a doctor, 'Orace," whispered she, as the scared
boy entered the room.

"What is the matter? What has happened?" gasped he.

"Poor dear, she's broken down--she's-- But go quick for the doctor,
'Orace."

Horace went as fast as his fleet feet would carry him. The doctor
pronounced Mrs Cruden to be in a state of high fever, produced by
nervous prostration and poor living. He advised Horace, if possible, to
get a nurse to tend her while the fever lasted, especially as she would
probably awake from her swoon delirious, and would for several days
remain in a very critical condition.

In less than five minutes Horace was at Miss Crisp's, imploring her
assistance. The warm-hearted little lady undertook the duty without a
moment's hesitation, and from that night, and for a fortnight to come,
hardly quitted her friend's bedside.

Mrs Shuckleford, deeming it prudent not to refer again to the
unpleasant subject which had been the immediate cause of Mrs