blow,
covering his eyes with his hands and whispering as he passed the negro,
"Oh, Alice, Golden Hair!"

All this Sam had witnessed, and in his sympathy for "Massa Hugh" he
failed to hear the rest of Irving's wooing, or Alice's low-spoken
answer. She could not be Irving Stanley's wife. She made him understand
that, and then added, sadly: "I am sorry I cannot love you as I ought,
for I well know the meed of gratitude I owe to one who saved my life,
and I have wanted so much to thank you, only you did not seem to
remember me at all."

In blank amazement Mr. Stanley asked her what she meant, while Alice,
equally amazed, replied: "Surely, you have not forgotten me? Can I be
mistaken? I am the little girl whom Irving Stanley rescued from
drowning, when the _St. Helena_ took fire, several years ago."

"I was never on a burning boat, never saw the _St. Helena_," was Mr.
Stanley's reply; and then for a moment the two regarded each other
intently, but Irving was the first to speak.

"It was Hugh," he said. "It must have been Hugh, for I remember now that
when he was a lad, or youth, his uncle sometimes called him Irving,
which is, I think, his middle name."

"Yes, Yes, H.I. Worthington. I've seen it written thus, but never
thought to ask what 'I.' was for. It was Hugh, and I mistook that old
man for his father. I understand it now," and Alice spoke hurriedly, her
fair face coloring with excitement as the truth flashed upon her that
she was Golden Hair.

Then the bright color faded away, and alarmed at the pallor which
succeeded it, Irving Stanley passed his arm supportingly around her,
asking if she were faint. Old Sam, moving away from the door, saw her as
she sat thus, but did not hear her reply: "It takes me so by surprise.
Poor Hugh, how he must have suffered."

She said this last more to herself than to Irving Stanley, who,
nevertheless, saw in it a meaning; and looking her earnestly in the
face, said to her: "Alice, you cannot be my wife, because your heart is
given to Hugh Worthington. Is it not so?"

Alice would not deceive him, and she answered, frankly: "It is," while
Irving replied: "I approve your choice, although it makes me very
wretched. You will be happy with him. Heaven bless you both."

He dared not trust himself to say another word, but hurrying from her
presence, sought the shelter of the woods, where alone he could school
himself to bear this terrible disappointment.

Hugh did not return until