ing her head from his shoulder, said:

"But I come to you a bankrupt, dear Thurston! I have inherited and
expended a large fortune since we parted--and now I am more than
penniless, for I stand responsible for large sums of money owed by my
'Orphans Home' and 'Emigrants Help'--money that I had intended to raise
by subscription."

"Now, I thank God abundantly for the wealth that He has given me. Your
fortune, dearest Marian, has been nobly appropriated--and for the rest,
it is my blessed privilege to assume all your responsibilities--and I
rejoice that they are great! for, sweetest wife, and fairest lady, I
feel that I never can sufficiently prove how much I love and reverence
you--how much I would and ought to sacrifice for you!"

"And even now, dear Thurston, I came hither, bound on a mission to the
Western prairies, to find a suitable piece of land for a colony of
emigrants."

"I know it, fairest and dearest lady, I know it all. I will lift that
burden from your shoulders, too, and all liabilities of yours do I
assume--oh! my dear Marian! with how much joy! and I will labor with and
for you, until all your responsibilities of every sort are discharged,
and my liege lady is free to live her own life!"

This scene took place in the private parlor of the hotel, while Paul
Douglass was gone to Colonel Thornton's lodgings, to carry the glad
tidings to Miriam, and also to procure a carriage for the conveyance of
the whole party to Dell-Delight.

He returned at last, accompanied by Miriam, whom he tenderly conducted
into the room, and who, passing by all others, tottered forward, and
sank, weeping, at the feet of Mr. Willcoxen, and clasping his knees,
still wept, as if her heart would break.

Thurston stooped and raised her, pressed the kiss of forgiveness on her
young brow, and then whispered:

"Miriam, have you forgotten that there is another here who claims your
attention?" took her by the hand and led her to Marian.

The young girl was shy and silent, but Marian drew to her bosom, saying:

"Has my 'baby' forgotten me? And so, you would have been an avenger,
Miriam. Remember, all your life, dear child, that such an office is
never to be assumed by an erring human creature. 'Vengeance is mine, and
I will repay, saith the Lord.'" And kissing Miriam fondly; she resigned
her to Paul's care, and turned, and gave her own hand to Thurston, who
conducted her to the carriage, and then returned for little Angel, who
all