Rose's cheeks. Yet it was not painful, whatever it
was; for her face was radiant with smiles, and John thought he had
never seen her look so lovely. At this moment the truth of her
beautiful and lovely womanhood, her sweetness and nobleness of nature,
came over him, in bitter contrast with the scene he had just passed
through, and the woman he had left.

"What do you think, John?" said Grace; "we have some congratulations
here to give! Rose is engaged to Harry Endicott."

"Indeed!" said John, "I wish her joy."

"But what is the matter, John?" said both women, looking up, and
seeing something unusual in his face.

"Oh, trouble!" said John,--"trouble upon us all. Gracie and Rose, the
Spindlewood Mills have failed."

"Is it possible?" was the exclamation of both.

"Yes, indeed!" said John; "you see, the thing has been running very
close for the last six months; and the manufacturing business has been
looking darker and darker. But still we could have stood it if the
house of Clapham & Co. had stood; but they have gone to smash, Gracie.
I had a letter this morning, telling me of it."

Both women stood a moment as if aghast; for the Ferguson property was
equally involved.

"Poor papa!" said Rose; "this will come hard on him."

"I know it," said John, bitterly. "It is more for others that I feel
than for myself,--for all that are involved must suffer with me."

"But, after all, John dear," said Rose, "don't feel so about us at any
rate. We shall do very well. People that fail honorably always come
right side up at last; and, John, how good it is to think, whatever
you lose, you cannot lose your best treasure,--your true noble heart,
and your true friends. I feel this minute that we shall all know
each other better, and be more precious to each other for this very
trouble."

John looked at her through his tears.

"Dear Rose," he said, "you are an angel; and from my soul I
congratulate the man that has got _you_. He that has you would be
rich, if he lost the whole world."

"You are too good to me, all of you," said Rose. "But now, John, about
that bad news--let me break it to papa and mamma; I think I can do it
best. I know when they feel brightest in the day; and I don't want it
to come on them suddenly: but I can put it in the very best way. How
fortunate that I am just engaged to Harry! Harry is a perfect prince
in generosity. You don't know what a good heart he has; and it happens
so fortunately that we ha