appealed to her. Then she suddenly remembered the tragedy
which had taken place at Benton's wharf. Somewhere, perhaps, in its
quiet depths a girl was lying, who, but a few days before was full of
abounding health and strength. The river, however, gave no sign of its
secret, but smiled beneath the morning sun. "How like many a life that
river is," she thought. "Outwardly everything seems full of peace and
happiness, while all the time tragedy lurks beneath. That is the way
with mine, at any rate. My friends, neighbours, and even John are
unaware of the sin hidden within my soul. They imagine that my life is
one of contentment, little realising how miserable I really am."

Unfolding the newspaper, she cast her eyes at the various headlines
until they rested upon one which arrested her attention. It was set
forth in large type, and described in vivid language the supposed
drowning of Henry Randall's only daughter the night before. The
article was well written, and told about Miss Randall's beauty, charm
of manner, and her many friends, who were greatly shocked over the
tragedy. Her parents were grief-stricken, and Mrs. Randall was
inconsolable. There was no doubt at all but that the girl had
committed suicide, distracted over a love affair. The river bad been
thoroughly searched, but so far the body of the missing girl had not
been found.

Mrs. Hampton could not get this story out of her mind, and she thought
much about it as she walked home. As she went about her work that
afternoon the girl was ever before her. Though she had never seen her,
yet she pictured her with white face, and eyes filled with despair,
rowing out from the wharf, and ending her young life. So she, too, had
her troubles, poor girl!

As the afternoon was drawing to a close, and Mrs. Hampton was resting
for a few minutes on the verandah, Flo Tobin came and sat down by her
side. She was a frequent visitor, and Mrs. Hampton was always glad to
see her. She was of a bright, sunny disposition, altogether different
from her mother, and with none of Eben's peculiarities.

"Wasn't it terrible about that girl drowning herself last night?" she
at once began. "I can't get her out of my mind."

"It is very sad," Mrs. Hampton replied. "She had everything that money
can buy, and yet she was not happy."

"Money isn't everything," and Flo looked thoughtfully out upon the
river as she spoke. "Now, look at me. I have a home, food, clothes,
a