urse of medical lectures at the Washington College
was over, late in the spring, Traverse Rocke returned to Willow Heights.

The good doctor gave him a glad welcome, congratulating him upon his
improved appearance and manly bearing.

Clara received him with blushing pleasure, and Marah Rocke with all the
mother's love for her only child.

He quickly fell into the old pleasant routine of his country life,
resumed his arduous studies in the doctor's office, his work in the
flower garden, and his morning rides and evening talk with the doctor's
lovely child.

Not the least obstacle was set in the way of his association with Clara,
yet Traverse, grown stronger and wiser than his years would seem to
promise, controlled both his feelings and his actions, and never
departed from the most respectful reserve, or suffered himself to be
drawn into that dangerous familiarity to which their constant
companionship might tempt him.

Marah Rocke, with maternal pride, witnessed his constant self-control
and encouraged him to persevere. Often in the enthusiasm of her heart,
when they were alone, she would throw her arm around him, and push the
dark, clustering curls from his fine forehead, and, gazing fondly on his
face, exclaim:

"That is my noble-hearted boy! Oh, Traverse, God will bless you! He only
tries you now to strengthen you!"

Traverse always understood these vague words and would return her
embrace with all his boyish ardor and say:

"God does bless me now, mother! He blesses me so much, in so many, many
ways, that I should be worse than a heathen not to be willing to bear
cheerfully one trial?"

And so Traverse would "reck his own rede" and cultivate cheerful
gratitude as a duty to God and man.

Clara, also, now, with her feminine intuition, comprehended her reserved
lover, honored his motives and rested satisfied with being so deeply
loved, trusting all their unknown future to heaven.

The doctor's appreciation and esteem for Traverse increased with every
new unfolding of the youth's heart and intellect, and never did master
take more pains with a favorite pupil, or father with a beloved son,
than did the doctor to push Traverse on in his profession. The
improvement of the youth was truly surprising.

Thus passed the summer in healthful alternation of study and exercise.

When the season waned, late in the autumn, he went a second time to
Washington to attend the winter's course of lectures at the Medical
Co