l, manifold evidences of which she had seen, and her heart was filled
with a melting pity. It was such a love, Mrs. Merrill knew, as is not
given to many here below. And there was Cynthia's love for him. Mrs.
Merrill had suffered that morning thinking of this tragedy also.

"I do not think he is a proper guardian for her, Miss Penniman."

It was then that the tears came to Mrs. Merrill's eyes for there is a
limit to all human endurance. The sight of these caused a remarkable
change in Miss Lucretia, and she leaned forward and seized Mrs.
Merrill's arm.

"My dear," she cried, "my dear, what are we to do? Cynthia can't go
back to that man. She loves him, I know, she loves him as few girls are
capable of loving. But when she, finds out what he is! When she finds
out how he got the money to support her father!" Miss Lucretia fumbled
in her reticule and drew forth a handkerchief and brushed her own
eyes--eyes which a moment ago were so piercing. "I have seen many young
women," she continued; "but I have known very few who were made of as
fine a fibre and who have such principles as Cynthia Wetherell."

"That is very true," assented Mrs. Merrill too much cast down to be
amazed by this revelation of Miss Lucretia's weakness.

"But what are we to do?" insisted that lady; "who is to tell her what he
is? How is it to be kept from her, indeed?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Merrill, "there will be more, articles. Mr. Merrill
says so. It seems there is to be a great political struggle in that
state."

"Precisely," said Miss Lucretia, sadly. "And whoever tells the girl will
forfeit her friendship. I--I am very fond of her," and here she applied
again to the reticule.

"Whom would she believe?" asked Mrs. Merrill, whose estimation of Miss
Lucretia was increasing by leaps and bounds.

"Precisely," agreed Miss Lucretia. "But she must hear about it
sometime."

"Wouldn't it be better to let her hear?" suggested Mrs. Merrill; "we
cannot very well soften that shock: I talked the matter over a little
with Mr. Merrill, and he thinks that we must take time over it, Miss
Penniman. Whatever we do, we must not act hastily."

"Well," said Miss Lucretia, "as I said, I am very fond of the girl, and
I am willing to do my duty, whatever it may be. And I also wished
to say, Mrs. Merrill, that I have thought about another matter very
carefully. I am willing to provide for the girl. I am getting too old to
live alone. I am getting too old, indeed, to d