was the warm answer. “The thought of leaving these girls unprotected has been one of my cares. Let me give you one consolation Blakely, that if Martha has rejected you she has rejected others. Mary fancied she had some secret attachment; can it have been concerning yourself?” “If so why has she rejected me?” “I don’t know; she has been grievously unhappy since I have been sick, almost like one who had no further hope in life.” “What is it, George?” “A message has come from Mrs. Bangs.” Charles spoke a word of apology to Blakely and left the room; in the hall he met Martha crossing to it; she went in quite unconscious who was its occupant; he rose to welcome her. A momentary hesitation in her steps, a doubt whether she should not run away again, and then she recalled her senses and went forward. How it went on and what was exactly said or done neither of them could remember afterwards. A very few minutes and Martha’s head was resting upon his shoulder; all the mistakes of the past cleared up between them. She might not have confessed to him how long she had loved, all since that long time when they were together at his home, but for her dread that he might think she was only accepting him on account of Charles’ days being numbered. She told the truth, that she had loved him and him only all along. “Martha, my dear, what a long misery might have been spared me had I known this.” Martha looked down. Perhaps some might have been spared her also. “Would you like to live here?” asked Mark. “Oh, yes; if it can be.” “They will be glad to have me set a price on some of these houses around here.” Martha’s eyelids were bent on her hot cheeks; she did not raise them. “If you like we might ask Mary and Matilda to live with us,” resumed Mark Blakely in his thoughtful consideration. “Our home will be large enough.” “Their home is decided upon,” said Martha shaking her head, “and they will remain in their own home. Mary has an annuity, you know; it was money left to her by mamma’s sister, so that she is independent; can live where she pleases; but I am sure she will go to New York on a visit as soon as”--“I understand you Martha; as soon as Charles shall have passed away.” The tears were glistening in her eyes. “Do you not see a great change in him?”