er arm round Candace, and there was a warmth
and tenderness in the touch which thrilled through Cannie's heart. She
felt, without asking why, that Cousin Kate loved her more than usual
that night, and it made her happy.

Jane had been deeply aggrieved at the long delay of the dinner; but she
was a woman of resources as well as principle, and, as a member in good
and regular standing of the Second Baptist Church, knew that forgiveness
of injuries was a branch of Christian duty. She reminded herself,
beside, that "Missis wasn't often that inconsiderate, and most probably
there was reasons this time," which made it easier to overlook her
offence. So she kept some things back, and took some things off, and
managed to send in the food in an eatable condition, instead of letting
it calcine into cinders as a less conscientious and capable cook would
have done.

Marian went to bed; but still Mrs. Gray said not a word about Georgie
and her confession. She looked weary and preoccupied, and Gertrude
fancied--but perhaps it was only fancy--that there was a shade of
coldness in her mother's manner towards herself. They were all glad when
the time came to separate; but before she slept that night, Mrs. Gray
sent a telegram to her husband.

Mr. Gray appeared next day on the earliest possible train. There was a
long consultation in the library, in which Georgie took a part. She came
out with her eyes red with crying, but somehow looking relieved, too,
and with a peaceful look in her face which had been absent from it of
late. Candace, passing her on the stairs, averted her eyes shyly, and
was altogether astonished at being caught in a tight embrace and kissed
several times.

"It's all right," Georgie whispered. "Papa has been, oh, so kind! and
mamma is like an angel to me. You were just right; and I never can thank
you enough, you dear!"

"Oh, how glad I am!" cried Cannie, clasping her hands together in sudden
relief.

Georgie said no more; she gave Cannie another kiss, and hurried away.

What steps Mr. Gray took to get rid of Alexander, the girls never knew;
but whatever they may have been, they were effectual. He disappeared
from Newport the very next day, and neither Berry Joy nor Georgie ever
saw or heard of him again. It is only on women and girls, and men who
are as weak and uninstructed as women, that rascals of his low stamp
venture to practise their arts. The moment a man of boldness and
resource appears on the scene,