power of modern society went
home to Ensal's heart.

The night passed and dawn found him yet pacing his room. His mother
summoned him to breakfast, but the all-night agony of his spirit had
robbed him of an appetite. The mail man's whistle blew, announcing the
morning's mail.

"I hope I will get a letter that will turn my thoughts into another
channel."

Such was Ensal's solemn soliloquy. How little did he dream of what was
in store for him. Going to his front gate he received the mail. To his
great surprise, the handwriting on one envelope seemed to be that of Gus
Martin. He quickly tore this letter open and read its contents. He
looked around and about cautiously, as if to see if any one was
observing him. He crumbled the letter tightly in his hand and started
toward the house, when he began to sway to and fro. His head grew dizzy,
he tottered and fell. His mother, who had been observing him through
the window, suppressed an incipient scream that almost escaped her lips,
and rushed to her son's side. She had seen the effects of the letter,
and her first act was to attempt to gain possession of it for the
possible protection of her boy. But even in his swooning condition he
clutched the letter with so powerful a grasp that she could not wrest it
from him. She now cried aloud for help, and neighbors came to her
rescue.

Ensal was borne into the house, his mother keeping in close touch with
the hand that held the letter. After some effort he was restored to
consciousness, and his first words were,

"The letter! The letter! O my God! the letter!"

"You have it, my boy. It has never left your hand," said his mother.

"Thank heaven!" uttered Ensal fervently.

When Ensal seemed to be nearly restored to his normal state the
neighbors retired.

"Mother, ask me not why, but prepare my things. I must leave America,"
said Ensal, in a tone so forlorn as to deeply touch the mother's heart.
Drawing near to Ensal she threw her arms around his neck and looked into
his eyes as if to read his soul.

Upon this holy scene where troubled son and anxious mother meet we will
not obtrude, and so step lightly out of the room.

CHAPTER XXIX.

_A Revelation._

The fact that Ensal was to resign his church and leave the country was
soon known throughout Almaville and filled the hearts of the good people
of both races with sore regret. Tiara was amazed.

"Am I no more to him than that," she asked herself.

Choosing an h