y.

It was not the words, but the tone, the manner, that convinced him he
was forgiven. He sat down beside her, and there, in the deepening
twilight of that spring evening, what a holy happiness was rising over
the ruins of wickedness and crime! Who shall say how much holier, purer,
and more elevated for the trying ordeal to which it had been subjected?

CHAPTER XXII.

"To all and each a fair good-night,
And rosy dreams and slumbers bright."

We are winding to a close. In the delicious coolness of a summer
evening, Aunt Patty sat upon her lowly stile, her head drooped pensively
on her withered hand, as if absorbed in deep meditation. The sound of
approaching footsteps aroused her, and directly a light form was at her
side, while a soft voice whispered in her ear: "You are thinking of one
from whom I bring tidings."

It was Netta Wild, accompanied by her husband, who carried a small
package in his hand.

"Ay, yes! true, Netta, I was thinking of Annie," said the old woman,
rising, and beckoning them to enter, while she bustled about and lighted
a candle. "So you have brought me news of her?" she continued. "I always
know when I'm going to hear from hinny, for I'm thinking and dreaming
about her all the time for three or four days before the tidings come."

"You should have had bright visions of late, Aunt Patty, if they are to
tally with the truth," said Netta. "Annie has won the prizes."

"Has she? Do tell!" exclaimed the old woman, her face glowing with
pleasure.

"Yes, and here are the magazines containing the articles," answered
Netta, untying the package; "but this is the smallest part of her good
fortune; there's better news yet to be imparted, Aunt Patty. Sit down
here close beside me while I read this letter,--it is for both of us,
she says."

Aunt Patty hitched her chair close up, remarking, as she did so, that
"the best news she could hear of hinny was, that she was coming back to
her old aunty."

"Well, she is coming back," said Netta, "but not alone; in brief; she is
married, Aunt Patty."

"O dear! O dear!" groaned the old lady in agony; "I have lost her
forever, my darling, darling Annie!"

"No you haven't," said Netta; "for she says it was in the bargain that
she should never go from her dear old aunty while she lived, but always
be near to cheer and console her declining years."

"O, the hinny love!" said Aunt Patty, brig