ve.

But she confined herself too closely, and it was not long before her
face began to grow pale and her temples throb through the night. Lewis
was alarmed, and sent a physician. He prescribed exercise, country air,
and quiet; three luxuries of which poor Cora had been deprived for
months, and Lewis was more wretched than ever.

In the morning early, before Cora had risen, Nora went to him and told
all. Her young lady should not work herself to death; hiding it from Mr.
Lewis was a sin, and so she made bold to betray her. Lewis bowed his
head and wept; she had, indeed, been firm in adversity; she had, indeed,
been true to her word, and kept a stout heart. How he loved her! how
willingly he could have knelt before her! The scene that passed between
them I could not think of describing; it must be imagined by the
kind-hearted reader, by the sacrificing wife, and the grateful, devoted
husband. One load was taken from the mind of Lewis, the absence of local
disease in his cherished one, and he thankfully turned his thoughts to
the Great Source of all his joys, blessing him for the trials he sent
that he might be purified. Poor as he was, destitute of expectation as
he felt himself to be, he left home with a light heart. His gem, his
bright, beautiful Cora was not threatened with a loss of health. She had
promised to rest, and now she would find her roses once more.

During all this time, Margaret had watched her brother and sister with
intense anxiety, and, suspecting the cause of their altered looks, set
her little head to work to find out more. On a visit to Laura, she
mentioned Lewis and his appearance of delicate health. Cora's name she
never breathed before her hard-hearted persecutor.

"Oh, they are so poor; no wonder!" cried she, with a look of scorn. "I
suppose they are starving. _I_ wonder they are not begging."

"God forbid!" said Margaret, earnestly. "Have you heard anything?"

"Yes; Phillips told me Lewis did not make a cent, and wondered how they
had lived till now. The other evening, Mr. Layton was here and asked me
about Lewis, saying he could not find his house. He wished to offer him
the situation of head clerk in the establishment of Layton, Finlay &
Co."

"And what did you tell him?" asked Margaret, breathlessly.

"Oh, I told him there was no use in doing anything of the kind, as he
would not be able to keep Lewis long, his habits of negligence were so
irremediable."

"Great God of heaven!" cri