"P. S. I send the note which I found safe where I put it, tied in the corner of my handkerchief; but I was so flustrated yesterday I acted like a fool." Helen's cheeks grew rosy, as she impatiently tore open the neatly directed envelope and read: "Yesterday, dear friend, I rejoiced over your life preserved from a dreadful calamity. To-day and forever more, I shall rejoice and thank God for a soul won to the Saviour. I am going away, perhaps we shall never meet again, but the sweetest memories I carry with me are those of hours spent with you." "FREDERIC." For a moment our heroine stood with hands clasped on her breast, her face blanched, her eyes fixed wildly on the opposite wall. But suddenly her features relaxed with a fixed resolve. "Yes, I will," she energetically exclaimed. "I will. I have a right." Presently her voice sounded over the banisters: "Nurse! Nurse! Tell the messenger I'll be ready, and please bring my breakfast up on a waiter. I'm going to ride with Mr. Knowles." Scarcely an hour later she was sitting close beside her pastor in his narrow buggy, jogging away toward Mottville. "I'm very glad you sent for me," she began, resolved to speak while she had courage. "I want to ask you to explain something I don't understand." The white-haired man smiled faintly, as he answered: "I have also some questions to put to you." "There is nothing you can ask that it will not give me pleasure to answer," she said, earnestly, adding with an arch glance in his face, "I think you are already acquainted with all my secrets." "The first question refers to your father's namesake, Roswell Tracy. I have had a letter from your guardian, with regard to a portion of your property, and have already forwarded it to your brother. But that is not the part which troubles me. In his son's behalf, Mr. Tracy makes you an offer of his hand and affections; and he says from the encouragement Roswell has always received, he hopes soon to welcome you as a daughter." "Stop, my dear," as Helen suddenly seized his arm, "let me finish. When I was last in the city, I heard some statements about this young man that make me greatly fear for your future happiness, if you marry him. As the grateful friend of your dear father, I feel it my duty to tell you this." "Mr. Knowles, I never did encourage Roswell. I told his father I despised his character. It is a plot to get my fortune. I am sure of it. I overheard father and son concerting it long ago. Mr. Tracy is an awful man. I hope I'm not wicked in saying so, but he is not one to give up a plan when he has set his heart upon it. But I never will consent, never. He may take every dollar I have, but I never will marry Roswell." She ended her sentence with a burst of passionate tears. "Don't, my dear. If that is the case, there is no occasion for tears. You have relieved me immensely." Still the sobs did not cease, and at length came the explanation: