hout me for a time? If you could, and it would
make you easier, and help Edward to"--The word on her lips died away; for
it seemed to imply a reproach on one who stood in his shame among them all.

"You would go!" said Mrs. Browne, catching at the unfinished sentence. "Oh!
Maggie, that's the best thing you've ever said or done since you were born.
Edward, would not you like to have Maggie with you?"

"Yes," said he, "well enough. It would be far better for me than going all
alone; though I dare say I could make my way pretty well after a time. If
she went, she might stay till I felt settled, and had made some friends,
and then she could come back."

Mr. Buxton was astonished at first by this proposal of Maggie's. He could
not all at once understand the difference between what she now offered to
do, and what he had urged upon her only this very morning. But as he
thought about it, he perceived that what was her own she was willing to
sacrifice; but that Frank's heart, once given into her faithful keeping,
she was answerable for it to him and to God. This light came down upon him
slowly; but when he understood, he admired with almost a wondering
admiration. That little timid girl brave enough to cross the ocean and go
to a foreign land, if she could only help to save her brother!

"I'm sure Maggie," said he, turning towards her, "you are a good,
thoughtful little creature. It may be the saving of Edward--I believe it
will. I think God will bless you for being so devoted."

"The expense will be doubled," said Edward.

"My dear boy! never mind the money. I can get it advanced upon this
cottage."

"As for that, I'll advance it," said Mr. Buxton.

"Could we not," said Maggie, hesitating from her want of knowledge, "make
over the furniture--papa's books, and what little plate we have, to Mr.
Buxton--something like pawning them--if he would advance the requisite
money? He, strange as it may seem, is the only person you can ask in this
great strait."

And so it was arranged, after some demur on Mr. Buxton's part. But Maggie
kept steadily to her point as soon as she found that it was attainable; and
Mrs. Browne was equally inflexible, though from a different feeling. She
regarded Mr. Buxton as the cause of her son's banishment, and refused to
accept of any favor from him. If there had been time, indeed, she would
have preferred obtaining the money in the same manner from any one else.
Edward brightened up a little when