anker was beginning to frown upon her she continued: "But to come
directly to the point. Yesterday afternoon I found--no matter where or
how--a letter intended for Helen Lennox, which I am positive she never
saw or heard of; at least her denial to me that a certain Mark Ray had
ever offered himself is a proof that she never saw what was an offer
made just before you went away. I read enough to know that, and then I
took the letter and--"

She hesitated, while Mark's eyes turned dark with excitement, and even
Mrs. Banker, scarcely less interested, leaned eagerly forward, saying:

"And what? Go on, Miss Cameron. What did you do with that letter?"

"I sent it to its rightful owner, Helen Lennox. I posted it myself, so
it's sure this time. But why don't you thank me, Captain Ray?" she
asked, as Mark's face was overshadowed with anxiety.

"I was wondering whether it were well to send it--wondering how it might
be received," he said, and Bell replied:

"She will not answer no. As one woman knows another I know Helen Lennox.
I have sounded her on that point. I told her of the rumor there was
afloat, and she denied it, seeming greatly distressed, but showing
plainly that had such offer been received she would not have refused it.
You should have seen her last summer, Captain Ray, when we waited so
anxiously for news from the Potomac. Her face was a study as her eyes
ran over the list of casualties, searching not for her amiable
brother-in-law, nor yet for Willard Braxton, their hired man. It was
plain to me as daylight, and all you have to do is to follow up that
letter with another, or go yourself, if you have time." Bell said, as
she arose to go, leaving Mark in a state of bewilderment as to what he
had heard.

Who withheld that letter? and why? were questions which troubled him
greatly, nor did his mother's assurance that it did not matter so long
as it all came right at last, tend wholly to reassure him. One thing,
however, was certain. He would see Helen before he returned to his
regiment--he would hear from her own lips what her answer would have
been had she received the letter. He would telegraph in the morning to
Washington, and then run the risk of being a day behind the time
appointed for his return to duty. Never since the day of Aunt Betsy's
revelations had Mark felt as light and happy as he did that night,
scarcely closing his eyes in sleep, but still not feeling tired when
next morning he met his mother at