cried Mrs. Fabens, falling in his arms.

"O, father!--mother!--sister!" cried the stranger, as the loving three
contended to clasp him closest to each heart.

"Is it my brother, or my mother's dream I hold!--It must, it must be
he! O, we will be happy now!" cried Fanny, embracing all of that
precious form she could extort from her father and mother.

"I will have at least one hand--my brother's hand!" cried George
Ludlow, grasping his left hand and pressing it warmly.

"It is he!--it is Clinton! I know this face--these eyes! I do not
dream! It is not heaven has opened. Clinton's alive, and mother's
word fulfilled!" cried Fabens, pressing the stranger closer to his
heart.

"Merciful heavens! what can this mean?" exclaimed Mrs. Nimblet.

"It is amazing strange!" replied Mr. Nimblet.

"I'll have one grab at him, any way," cried Uncle Walter, making for
the hand, so warmly clasped by George Ludlow.

"So'll I! So'll I, and take pay and interest for my four days' hunt,"
cried Wilson.

"I loved to kiss him, too; and where is my part?" cried Aunt Huldah,
joining in the group.

"And mine!" "and mine!" cried Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Colwell.

"Gracious alive! what's comin' to pass?--Good! good! good! if it's
Clintie--but, O, I fear now, that Tillson's in fault--I fear!"
exclaimed Mrs. Troffater, seeming to be shocked with some new suspicion
of her husband.

"Bring water! bring water! Mrs. Fabens is faint!" cried Mrs. Teezle,
and Mrs. Troffater brought water, and her mind and strength were
restored, while she exclaimed, "too good! too good, I fear! too good to
be true!" and "just right! just right in the nick o' time!" replied
Uncle Walter.

Others attempted to edge in their hand and word of joy, who were
crowded back by those before them. It was no dream. It was their own
worshipped Clinton in their arms. And it remains only for the present
to relate, that the marriage ceremony, though delayed longer than any
one was aware, till Father Lovelight at last gave the hour, was still
performed, and rare and high was the joy that made Uncle Walter forget
his story, and Mrs. Flaxman her song; and was carried on by that
glorious company full to the very midnight.

Tilly Troffater had bitterly repented the crime of the boy's abduction,
to which he was accessary, and he received not a moment's respite from
the tortures of hell, that tore his anguished heart, till he heard
where Clinton remained; went, and informed hi