prize it too highly to
be willing to part with it."

"I do prize the miniature, and would not part with it for any
consideration; but I want something far more than a gold case to keep it
in."

"Tell me what you want, and I will get it for you," whispered her cousin.

"No--I am going to sell this frame."

"And I am going to buy it from you," said the kind-hearted merchant, taking
it from her hand and weighing it.

Russell and Mr. Campbell left the store, and soon after Mr. Brown paid
Electra several dollars for the locket.

In half an hour she had purchased a small box of paints, a supply of
drawing-paper and pencils, and returned home, happier and prouder than many
an empress, whose jewels have equalled those of the Begums of Oude. She had
cleared Russell's character, and her hands were pressed over her heart to
still its rapturous throbbing. Many days elapsed before Mr. Turner's answer
arrived. He stated that he had won the watch from Cecil Watson, at a
horse-race, where both were betting; and proved the correctness of his
assertion by reference to several persons who were present, and who resided
in the town. Russell had suspected Cecil from the moment of its
disappearance, and now provided with both letter and watch, and accompanied
by Mr. Brown, he repaired to Mr. Watson's store. Russell had been insulted,
his nature was stern, and now he exulted in the power of disgracing the son
of the man who had wronged him. There was no flush on his face, but a cold,
triumphant glitter in his eyes as he approached his former employer, and
laid watch and letter before him.

"What business have you here?" growled the merchant, trembling before the
expression of the boy's countenance.

"My business is to clear my character which you have slandered, and to fix
the disgrace you intended for me on your own son. I bring you the proofs of
his, not my villainy."

"Come into the back-room; I will see Brown another time," said Watson,
growing paler each moment.

"No, sir; you were not so secret in your dealings with me. Here, where you
insulted me, you shall hear the whole truth. Read that. I suppose the
twenty-dollar gold piece followed the watch."

The unfortunate father perused the letter slowly, and smothered a groan.
Russell watched him with a keen joy which he might have blushed to
acknowledge had he analysed his feelings. Writhing under his impaling eye,
Mr. Watson said--

"Have you applied to the witnesses referre