had gained was not to be discerned by the
outward eye. It lay deep in her heart--the "pearl of great price,"
which her wandering spirit had at last sought and found.

XVIII.

_A Farewell Chapter._

"Come near and bless us when we wake.
Ere through the world our way we take,
Till in the ocean of Thy love
We lose ourselves in heaven above."

Though Mr. and Mrs. Brooke marked with much delight the improved
appearance of their darling Stella, her medical attendant was far from
considering the improvement a radical one, and strongly advised that
she should be removed to a warmer climate for the winter. On her
account, therefore, as well as on that of Sophy, who very much needed
change of scene, it was decided that the family should spend the
winter months in the south. Stella was anxious that her cousin should
accompany them; but just at this time Lucy received a summons--by no
means unwelcome--in another direction, in a letter from Mrs. Steele.

Her aunt had been feeling her strength fail very much during the past
year, and expressed a very strong desire that her niece should come
to her again, for a time at least. Lucy owed her aunt almost a
daughter's affection; and as she had not seen her brother Harry for
nearly two years, and as her lessons at school must necessarily be
discontinued, it seemed the best arrangement that she should accede to
Mrs. Steele's request, and go to the West under the escort which had
been proposed for her,--that of a friend of Alick who had come
eastward for his wife, and was soon to return to his prairie home.

There was some doubt as to what should be done with Nelly during the
long absence of all her friends, but an unexpected event which
happened previous to Lucy's departure settled that question most
satisfactorily. A young market-gardener, who had lately started in
business for himself, came to Mr. Brooke's to be paid for vegetables,
furnished during the summer. Lucy was sent down to pay him, and was
surprised to find Nelly, who had happened to pass through the hall
where he was waiting, staring at him in an unaccountable manner, with
an excited look in her dark eyes.

"Miss Lucy," she said in a trembling undertone, seizing Lucy's dress
in her eagerness, "won't you please ask him his name?"

Lucy, considerably bewildered, did as she desired, and was startled by
the answer. "Richard Connor," and equally so by the joyful exclamation
with which Nelly rushed