ce between his hands,
kissed her forehead and lips, saying, "What can I ever do to pay my
little nurse for her kindness?"

Mary hesitated a moment, and then replied, "Love me as well as you do
Ella!"

"As well as I do Ella!" he repeated, "I love you a great deal better.
She has not been to see me once. What is the reason?"

Frank, who a moment before had stolen to Mary's side, answered for
her, saying, "some one had told Ella that if she should have the
fever, her curls would all drop off; and so," said he, "she won't come
near you!"

Just then Mrs. Howard appeared, and this time she was accompanied by
Ella, who clung closely to her mother's skirt, looking cautiously out
from its thick folds. George did not as usual caress her, but he asked
her mockingly, "if her hair had commenced coming out!" while Ella only
answered by grasping at her long curls, as if to assure herself of
their safety.

In a few days George was able to go on deck, and though he still
petted and played with Ella, he never again slighted Mary, or forgot
that she was present. More than once, too, a kind word, or
affectionate look from him, sent such a glow to her cheek and sparkle
to her eye, that Frank, who always loved her best, declared, "she was
as pretty as Ella any day if she'd break herself of putting her hand
to her mouth whenever she saw one looking at her," a habit which she
had acquired from being so frequently told of her uneven teeth.

At last after many weary days at sea, there came the joyful news that
land was in sight; and next morning, when the children awoke, the
motion of the vessel had ceased, and Boston, with its numerous domes
and spires, was before them. Towards noon a pleasant-looking,
middle-aged man came on board, inquiring for George Moreland, and
announcing himself as Mr. Selden. George immediately stepped forward,
and after greeting his uncle, introduced Mr. and Mrs. Howard, speaking
at the same time of their kindness to him during his illness.

All was now confusion, but in the hurry and bustle of going ashore,
George did not forget Mary. Taking her aside, he threw round her neck
a small golden chain, to which was attached a locket containing a
miniature likeness of himself painted a year before.

"Keep it," said he, "to remember me by, or if you get tired of it,
give it to Ella for a plaything."

"I wish I had one for you," said Mary; and George replied, "Never
mind, I can remember your looks without a likene