ell upon the hand she covered with
kisses, could mark the light of returned intelligence, and her heart
swelled with an almost overpowering emotion.

"O, doctor," she said, turning to Elmer, "say he is safe."

"I hope so," answered Elmer, "but control yourself. I forbid all
agitation."

The life of Armstrong, for some days longer, vibrated in the
balance. So excessive was the weakness consequent upon the tremendous
excitement through which he had passed, that sometimes it appeared
hardly possible that nature could sufficiently rally, to bring the
delicate machinery again into healthy action. But stealing slowly
along, insensibly, the gracious work went on, until one day the
anxious daughter had the happiness to hear from the lips of the doctor
that her father was out of danger.

It seems a strange thing, but so it is, that the events of the
dreadful day, when, as if by a heavenly interposition, his hand had
been arrested when raised to take away the life of his daughter,
and also of the time when he lay insane upon his bed, were blotted
completely from the memory of Armstrong. The scratches of a school-boy
on a slate were never more perfectly erased by a wet sponge. All his
conduct proves this. When he beheld his brother after the return of
reason, he addressed him as Mr. Holden, and never, in conversation
with any one, did he make allusion to his aberration of mind. Nor
during the short period while he remained on earth, did he know of his
conduct on the banks of the Wootuppocut. The secret was confined to
the bosoms of a few, and it was mutually agreed that it was wisest it
should be concealed.

It was not until the health of Armstrong seemed completely restored
that his brother, in the presence of his son and of Faith, disclosed
his relationship. He had made it known before to his son, to whom, as
well as to his father, we must, for the brief period our acquaintance
with them continues, give their true name of Armstrong. It may well be
conceived, that young Armstrong had no objections to recognize in the
lovely Faith a cousin, nor was she unwilling to find a relative in the
amiable and intelligent young man.

But, if they were pleased, how shall we express the happiness of James
Armstrong? The sting of a sorrow that had poisoned so many years of
his life was extracted. If he had been the cause of misfortune to his
brother, he had it now in his power to repair, in a degree, the wrong
he had inflicted. Nor had