at the same time that you were ignorant of
it, though Crystal meant to tell you herself one day. I told him that,
to put his mind at rest, I could satisfy him that Crystal came of good
parentage; that she had influential friends and protectors if she
chose to appeal to them; that though she was apparently a lonely waif,
she had in reality good friends and a most comfortable home."

"Then, I suppose, she has alienated them by that confounded temper of
hers," he said, with a sneer; "but I could see he was surprised and
not altogether pleased; but I wished him to know that she was not
without protectors if he drove her from our roof."

"Percy is very selfish," sighed Fern. "Crystal was getting a little
happier; she was beginning to look less miserable, and to take more
interest in things, but this evening she has the old restless look."

"That is because she will not take my advice," returned her mother
quickly. "Crystal is a dear girl, and I am very fond of her, but I
think most of her troubles come from her own undisciplined nature; she
is the object of the tenderest love, the most divine forgiveness;
there are kind hearts waiting for her if she would only generously
respond to them. She has told me her story under the seal of secrecy,
as you know well, or she would long ago have been in her right place.
My heart bleeds for the friends who love her so, and are seeking her
so vainly. No"--rising as if to close the subject--"I am very sorry
for Crystal, but I do not pity her as you do. I have known what it is
to sin, but I have not been too proud to acknowledge my error. Crystal
acknowledges hers with bitter tears and most true penitence, but she
will not be forgiven. 'Let me expiate my sin a little longer,' that is
all she says."

"Yes, I know," whispered Fern, "she is always telling me that she does
not deserve to be happy; is that true, mother?"

"My child, do any of us deserve it? Happiness is a free gift like the
sunshine that rises alike 'on the evil and the good.' Do you remember
your father's dying words?--'I believe in the forgiveness of sins;'
ah, it is all forgiven up there--in heaven one has a Father;" and with
trembling lips Nea turned away. Her punishment had been great, she
told herself: she had deserted her earthly father, and now her son had
deserted her. "One sows the wind to reap the whirlwind," she thought,
as she mused bitterly over her boy's weakness.

CHAPTER XV.

ERLE ARRIVES AT REDMO