"Ah Mary!" said the elder Mr. Green rising and taking the hand of Mary Bacon, which he shook warmly. "My son, Henry," he added, presenting the blushing girl to his son, who, in turn, took her hand and expressed the pleasure he felt at meeting her. Knowing the business upon which Mary had called, Henry, not wishing to be present at its transaction, soon retired. As he did so, Mary drew out her purse and took therefrom a small roll of bank bills, saying, as she handed it to Mr. Green, "I have come to make you another payment." With a grave, business-like air, Mr. Green took the money and, after counting it over, went to his secretary and wrote out a receipt. "Let me see," said he, thoughtfully, as he came back with the receipt in his hand. "How much does this make? One, two, three, four, five quarterly payments. One hundred and eighty-seven dollars and a half. You'll soon be through, Mary. There is nothing like patience, perseverance, and industry. How is your father this morning?" "Very well, sir." "I think his health has improved of late." "Very much." "And so has every thing around him. I was looking at his farm a few days ago, and never saw crops in a finer condition. And how is your health, Mary." "Pretty good," was replied, though not with much heartiness of manner. Mr. Green now observed her more closely, and saw that her cheeks were thinner and paler than at her last visit. He did not remark on it, however, and, after a few words more of conversation, Mary arose and withdrew. It was, perhaps, an hour afterwards, that Henry said to his father, "Mary Bacon doesn't look as well as when I last saw her." "So it struck me," returned Mr. Green. "I'm afraid she has taken upon her more than she has the strength to accomplish. She is certainly paler and thinner than she was, and is far from looking as cheerful and happy as when I saw her six months ago." Mr. Green did not reply to this, but his countenance assumed a thoughtful expression. "Mary is a good daughter," he at length said, as if speaking to himself. "There is not one in a thousand like her," replied Henry, with a warmth of manner that caused Mr. Green to lift his eyes to his son's face. "I fully agree with you in that," he answered. "Then, father," said Henry, "why hold her any longer to her contract, thus far so honorably fulfilled. The trial has proved her. You see the pure gold of her character." "I have long seen it," returned Mr. Green. "Her father is thoroughly reformed." "So I have reason to believe."' "Then act from your own heart's generous impulses, father, and forgive the balance of the debt." "Are you certain that she will accept what you ask me to give? Will her own sense of justice permit her to stop until the whole claim is satisfied?" asked Mr. Green. "I cannot answer for that father," returned Henry. "But, let me beg of you to at least make the generous offer of a release."