is all the knowledge I want."

"Oh, where is William? Why does he not come? Why not speak and
acknowledge his wife and child? Now that I am dying, he might! Oh,
where is he? Why will not God send him to me?" moaned the sick girl.

"God is love, Mary. He does not willingly afflict or chastise us. Try
to say, 'Thy will be done!'

"But, dear, do not be so desponding. I know you are very sick; but I
think it more your mind than bodily illness. Try to bear up. Pray God
to spare you for your baby's sake," softly said the comforter.

"Father, you go in and see if you can help her. I will await you
outside," whispered David.

A slight knock at the door aroused the kneeling girl, who approached
and said:

"Come in, doctor! Why, Mr. Carlton--I was expecting the doctor. This
poor girl is very sick; she fainted a while ago. I was very much
alarmed and sent a boy for a physician. She is somewhat better now.
Come in; you may soothe her mind, and possibly do more good than the
medical man."

"Miss Fairleigh? Is it possible I find you here? I thought you were at
the masquerade."

"Heaven bless her, sir," said a woman, arising from a seat beside the
sufferer, whom Mr. Carlton recognized as the woman he had seen enter
Mr. Fairleigh's a few hours before. "But for her care, we should have
suffered beyond endurance. She has comforted mind and body. Yes, when
evil tongues whispered of shame! her pure heart did not fear, or
shrink from us. When employers and friends deserted and condemned, she
stayed and consoled."

"Hush! She has fainted again. Oh! why does not the doctor come?" said
Valeria.

"Thank Heaven! Here he is now."

Mr. Carlton approached the physician (an old acquaintance), and
explained to him as well as he could the trouble. The kind-hearted
doctor raised the poor, thin hand, felt the feeble pulse, and,
turning, answered the anxious, inquiring looks bent on him:

"It is only a swoon; yet she is very weak. However, I think we will
bring her round all right in a little while."

"Indeed, she is an honest girl, doctor, although appearances are
against her now," said the mother. "Her husband left her before she
was taken ill, to remain a short time with his sick uncle. Mr. Bland
was fearful of offending his aged relative, and so kept his marriage
concealed. She had a few letters when he first left, but, for near two
months, not a word have we heard. I fear he is ill. She has grown
dreadfully depressed since the birt