ch for her. You will find her if you advertise and offer a
reward to any one who will tell you of her whereabouts."

Surely, the money which Hubert Varrick had placed at her disposal could
not be used for a nobler purpose; and then, if Heaven intended her to
get well and strong again, she could soon pay him the amount borrowed.
Again the nurse did everything in her power to carry out her patient's
wishes. The advertisement duly appeared in the leading New York papers,
but as the days passed, all hope that she would be able to find Margaret
was abandoned.

In the third day after Hubert Varrick's departure, a long letter came
for her.

"What do you think I have for you, Miss Bain?" said the nurse.

"Has the--the letter come that Mr. Varrick said he would write?" she
asked, eagerly.

"That's just what it is," was the smiling reply; and the thick, white
envelope was placed in her hands.

"I will leave you alone while you read it, Miss Bain," and added
smilingly: "A young girl loves best to be alone when she reads such a
letter as I imagine this to be. There--there; don't blush and look so
embarrassed."

The next moment Jessie was alone with Hubert's letter.

CHAPTER XXVII.

"I WOULD RATHER WALK BY YOUR SIDE IN TROUBLE THAN SIT ON A THRONE BY THE
MIGHTIEST KING."

With trembling hands the girl broke the seal, drew forth the missive,
and slowly unfolded it. It was long and closely written:

"DEAR LITTLE JESSIE," it began, "I know that the contents of this
letter will surprise you, but the thoughts born of longings
impossible to suppress, even though I would, fill my brain to
overflowing and must find utterance in these pages.

"There are many men who can express their heart-thoughts in burning
words, but this boon is not given to me. I can only tell you my
hopes and fears and longings in the old, conventional words; but
the earnest wish is mine that they may find an echo in your heart,
little girl.

"With your woman's quick wit you must have read my secret--which
every one else seems to have discerned--and that is, I love you,
dear--love you with all the strength of my heart.

"I wonder, Jessie, if you could ever care enough for me to marry
me.

"There, the words are written at last. I intended them to seem so
impressive, but they read far too coldly on the white paper, to
express the world of tenderness in my soul which would make