disgrace."

For a few moments deep silence reigned in the little kitchen, and only the
Infinite eye pierced the heart of the long-tried sufferer. When she raised
her head from the boy's bosom, the face, though tear-stained, was serene,
and, pressing her lips twice to his, she said slowly--

"'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try
you; as though some strange thing happened unto you. For whom the Lord
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.' I will
wait patiently, my son, hoping for proofs which shall convince the world of
your innocence. I wish I could take the whole burden on my shoulders, and
relieve you, my dear boy."

"You have, mother; it ceases to crush me, now that you are yourself once
more." He spoke with difficulty, however, as if something stifled him, and,
rising hastily, poured out and drank a glass of water.

"And now, Russell, sit down and let me tell you a little that is pleasant
and sunshiny. There is still a bright spot left to look upon."

Stealing her hand into his, the mother informed him of all that had
occurred during Irene's visit, and concluded by laying the money in his
palm.

Electra sat opposite, watching the change that came over the face she loved
best on earth. Her large, eager midnight eyes noted the quick flush and
glad light which overspread his features; the deep joy that kindled in his
tortured soul; and unconsciously she clutched her fingers till the nails
grew purple, as though striving to strangle some hideous object thrusting
itself before her. Her breathing became laboured and painful, her gaze more
concentrated and searching, and when her cousin exclaimed: "Oh, mother! she
is an angel! I have always known it. She is unlike everybody else!"
Electra's heart seemed to stand still; and from that moment a sombre
curtain fell between the girl's eyes and God's sunshine. She rose, and a
silent yet terrible struggle took place in her passionate soul. Justice and
jealousy wrestled briefly; she would be just though every star fell from
her sky, and with a quick uncertain step she reached Russell, thrust
Irene's note into his fingers, and fled into solitude. An hour later,
Russell knocked at the door of an office, which bore on a square tin plate
these words, "Robert Campbell, Attorney at Law." The door was partially
closed, and as he entered an elderly man looked up from a desk, covered
with loose papers and open volumes, from