sation turned on more agreeable topics, and soon--by all but
Frank, who could not forget her look of anguish--she was for a time
forgotten.

Mary heard from her couch of suffering the cheerful blending
of voices, though nothing distinct reached her ear; and as none
approached to soothe her by affectionate inquiries, a sense of neglect
stole over her. But too habitually accustomed to judge gently of
others and forget herself, it passed quickly away. She knelt on her
pallet, and clasping her thin hands, raised her heart to God, in the
low, feeble tone of one well-nigh spent:

"My God, thou readest my heart! Thou knowest how, day by day, I have
striven to love thee more and serve thee better. Yet, oh, Father of
mercies! my soul is tortured with unutterable agony! Oh! on the verge
of the tomb, my heart still clings to earth and its joys. Look down in
thy mercy upon me, and help me to fix my thoughts on heaven and thee.
For long I have known the vanity of my hope, and the deceitfulness of
human things; yet I could not tear away the pleasing image, and turn
to thee alone for comfort. Oh, may peace be my portion the few days
I have to live, and when death comes, be thou with me, my God, to
comfort and take me soon to my home above."

She sank back in very weariness. "Oh, Frank, how could you so mistake
me?--you whom I have loved so long, how could you believe I loved
another?"

* * * * *

In the clear sunny light of morning, how cheerful all things looked;
and to a heart at peace with God, nature seemed rejoicing. The deep
blue vault arching inimitably above--the musical murmuring of the
creek, as it rushed along its rocky bed--the mosquit, bent and
glittering with its frosty mantle, blended with the blazing camp-fire
and the busy hum of preparation for the day, stole pleasingly into the
heart. All the party, save Mary, stood about the fire, warming their
fingers and chatting on the various occurrences of their long journey.
All paused to welcome the invalid, as she joined them with a slow,
feeble step; yet she looked better than she had done since leaving her
home. Restlessly she had tossed on her hard couch, and now the hectic
flush mantled the thin cheek and brightened the deep blue eyes. The
warm congratulations of her friends on her improved appearance brought
a sad smile to her lip, and the expression of Dr. Bryant's countenance
told her that he at least realized her danger. Never had