recalled them on the instant, but it was too late. Cragin caught them,
and exclaimed:

'His father! Well, that explains some riddles. D--d if I won't call the
new firm Hallet, Cragin & Co. I've got him all around--ha! ha!'

Frank seemed thunderstruck. Soon he plied me with questions.

'I can say nothing; I gave my word I would not. David has betrayed it;
let him explain, if he pleases.'

The old bookkeeper then told the young man his history, revealing
everything but the degradation of his poor mother. Frank walked the
room, struggling with contending emotions. When David concluded, he put
his hand in mine, and spoke a few low words. His voice sounded like his
mother's. It was again _her_ blessing that I heard.

* * * * *

Two weeks afterward, the old sign came down from the old warehouse--came
down, after hanging there three quarters of a century, and in its place
went up a black board, on which, emblazoned in glaring gilt letters,
were the two words,

'JOHN HALLET.'

On the same day, the busy crowd passing up old Long Wharf might have
seen, over a doorway not far distant, a plainer sign. It read:

'CRAGIN, MANDELL & Co.'

CHAPTER XXIII.

Kate heard frequently from Selma within the first two months after her
departure, but then her letters suddenly ceased. Her last one expressed
the intention of returning to the North during the following week. We
looked for her, but she did not come. Week after week went by, and still
she did not come. Kate wrote, inquiring when we might expect her, but
received no reply. She wrote again and again, and still no answer came.
'Something has happened to her. _Do_ write Mrs. Preston,' said Kate. I
wrote her. She either did not deign to reply, or she did not receive the
letter.

None of Selma's friends had heard from her for more than three months,
and we were in a state of painful anxiety and uncertainty, when, one
morning, among my letters, I found one addressed to my wife, in Selma's
handwriting. Her previous letters had been mailed at Trenton, but this
was post-marked 'Newbern.' I sent it at once to my house. About an hour
afterward I was surprised by Kate's appearance in the office. Her face
was pale, her manner hurried and excited. She held a small carpet bag in
her hand.

'You must start at once by the first train. You've not a moment to
spare!'

'Start where?'

She handed me the letter. 'Read that.'

It was hu