uction-room, and a
piece of board nailed to the gatepost announced that the cottage was for
rent. Russell decided to take his meals at a boarding-house, and occupy a
small room over the office, which Mr. Campbell had placed at his disposal.
On the same day, the cousins bade adieu to the only spot they had called
"home" for many years; and as Russell locked the door and joined Electra,
his melancholy face expressed, far better than words could have done, the
pain it cost him to quit the house where his idolized mother had lived,
suffered and died. Mr. Colton was waiting for Electra at the hotel, whither
the stage had been driven for passengers; and as she drew near and saw her
trunk among others piled on top, she stopped and grasped Russell's hand
between both hers. A livid paleness settled on her face, while her wild
black eyes fastened on his features. She might never see him again; he was
far dearer to her than her life; how could she bear to leave him, to put
hundreds of miles between that face and her own? An icy hand clutched her
heart as she gazed into his deep, sad, beautiful eyes. His feeling for her
was a steady, serene affection, such as brothers have for dear young
sisters, and to give her up now filled him with genuine, earnest sorrow.

"Electra, it is very hard to tell you good-bye. You are all I have left,
and I shall be desolate indeed when you are away. But the separation will
not be long, I trust; in a few years we shall be able to have another home;
and where my home is, yours must always be. Write to me often, and believe
that I shall do all that a brother could for you. Mr. Colton is waiting;
good-bye, darling."

He bent down to kiss her, and the strained, tortured look that greeted him
he never forgot. She put her arms around his neck, and clung to him like a
shivering weed driven by rough winds against a stone wall. He removed her
clasping arms, and led her to Mr. Colton; but as the latter offered to
assist her into the stage, she drew back, that Russell might perform that
office. While he almost lifted her to a seat, her fingers refused to
release his, and he was forced to disengage them. Other passengers entered,
and the door was closed. Russell stood near the window, and said gently,
pitying her suffering--

"Electra, won't you say good-bye?"

She leaned out till her cheek touched his, and in a hoarse tone uttered the
fluttering words--

"Oh, Russell, Russell! good-bye! May God have mercy on