t resting-place.
Electra stood up beside her cousin and folded her arms together.

"Russell, I am not going to that cousin in Virginia. I could owe my bread
and clothes to you, but not to her. She has children, and I do not intend
to live on her charity. I know you, and I must part; the sooner the better.
I would not be willing to burden you a day longer. I am going to fit
myself to work profitably. Mr. Clifton offered me a home in his house, said
his mother was lonely, and would be rejoiced to have me; that letter which
I received last week contained one from her, also urging me to come; and,
Russell, I am going to New York to study with him as long as I need
instruction. I did not tell aunt of this, because I knew it would grieve
her to think that I would be thrown with strangers; and having fully
determined to take this step, thought it best not to distress her by any
allusion to it. You know it is my own affair, and I can decide it better
than anyone else."

"So you prefer utter strangers to your relatives and friends?"

"Ties of blood are not the strongest; strangers step in to aid where
relatives sometimes stand aloof, and watch a fatal struggle. Remember
Irene; who is nearer to you, she or your grandfather? Such a friend Mr.
Clifton is to me, and go to him I will at all hazards. Drop the subject, if
you please."

He looked at her an instant, then turned once more to his mother's face,
and his cousin left them together.

The day was so inclement that only Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and Russell's
employer attended the funeral. These few followed the gentle sleeper, and
laid her down to rest till the star of eternity dawns; and the storm
chanted a long, thrilling requiem as the wet mound rose above the coffin.

The kind-hearted pastor and his wife urged the orphans to remove to their
house for a few days at least, until the future could be mapped; but they
preferred to meet and battle at once with the spectre which they knew stood
waiting in the desolate cottage. At midnight a heavy sleep fell on Russell,
who had thrown himself upon his mother's couch; and, softly spreading a
shawl over him, Electra sat down by the dying fire on the kitchen hearth,
and looked her future in the face. A few days sufficed to prepare for her
journey; and a gentleman from New York, who had met her cousin in Mr.
Campbell's office, consented to take charge of her, and commit her to Mr.
Clifton's hands. The scanty furniture was sent to an a