speech.

"And Stephen's just the man to have such a thing on his mind and keep it
from everybody till the last moment," she cried piteously. "And so many
speculations as there are now-a-days to tempt a man to his ruin--railways
and mines, and loans to Turks and Red Indians and such-like foreigners;
and Steph might so easy be tempted by the hope of larger profits than he
can make by farming."

"But it's no use torturing yourself like that with fears that may be
quite groundless," Ellen said at last, rousing herself a little in order
to put a stop to the wailing and lamentations of her companion. "There's
no use in anticipating trouble. There may be nothing in this business
after all. Mr. Whitelaw may have a fancy for showing people his house. He
wanted me to see it, if you remember, that new-year's afternoon."

"Yes; but that was different. He meant to marry you. Why should he want
to show the place to a stranger? I can't believe but what that strange
man is here for something, and something bad. I saw it in his face when
he first came in."

It was useless arguing the matter; Mrs. Tadman was evidently not to be
shaken; so Ellen said no more; and they sat on in silence, each occupied
with her own thoughts.

Ellen's were not about Stephen Whitelaw's financial condition, but they
were very sad ones. She had received a letter from Frank Randall since
her marriage; a most bitter letter, upbraiding her for her falsehood and
desertion, and accusing her of being actuated by mercenary motives in her
marriage with Stephen Whitelaw.

"How often have I heard you express your detestation of that fellow!" the
young man wrote indignantly. "How often have I heard you declare that no
earthly persuasion should ever induce you to marry him! And yet before my
back has been turned six months, I hear that you are his wife. Without a
word of warning, without a line of explanation to soften the blow--if
anything could soften it--the news comes to me, from a stranger who knew
nothing of my love for you. It is very hard, Ellen; all the harder
because I had so fully trusted in your fidelity."

"I will own that the prospect I had to offer you was a poor one;
involving long delay before I could give you such a home as I wanted to
give you; but O, Nelly, Nelly, I felt so sure that you would be true to
me! And if you found yourself in any difficulty, worried beyond your
power of resistance by your father--though I did not think you were the
k