n guide his thoughts, and I
noticed what a load of care was taken from her mind by having me there
to-day. She looked so happy when I came away to-night, and spoke so
hopefully of the comfort it would be during the winter to have me with
her, that I felt repaid for any sacrifice it has been to me. But when I
came home, and saw you, and thought of your going so far away, and of
the length of time it might be before I should live with you again, I
felt as if----" Gerty could say no more. She laid her head on Emily's
shoulder, and wept.

Emily soothed her with the greatest tenderness. "We have been very happy
together, Gerty," said she, "and I shall miss you sadly; half the
enjoyment of my life has of late years been borrowed from you. But I
never loved you half so well as I do now, at the time we must part; for
I see in the sacrifice you are making of yourself one of the noblest and
most important traits of character a woman can possess. I know how much
you love the Sullivans, and you have certainly every reason for being
attached to them; but your leaving us at this time, and renouncing
without a murmur the southern tour from which you expected so much
pleasure, proves that my Gerty is the brave, good girl I always hoped
and prayed she might become. You are in the path of duty, Gertrude, and
will be rewarded by the approbation of your own conscience, if in no
other way."

As Emily finished speaking, they reached a corner of the garden, and
were met by a servant-girl, who announced that Mrs. Bruce and her son
were in the parlour, and had asked for them both.

"Did you get her buttons in town, Gertrude?" inquired Emily.

"Yes, I found some that were an excellent match for the dress; she
probably wants to know what success I had; but how can I go in?"

"I will return to the house with Kate, and you can go in at the
side-door, and reach your own room without being seen. I will excuse
you to Mrs. Bruce for the present; and when you have bathed your eyes,
and feel composed, you can come in and report concerning the errand she
entrusted to you."

CHAPTER XX.

FRUSTRATED PLANS.

When Gertrude entered the room in half-an-hour, her face showed no
mental distress. Mrs. Bruce nodded to her good naturedly from a corner
of the sofa. Mr. Bruce rose and offered his chair at the same time that
Mr. Graham pointed to a vacant window-seat near him, and said kindly,
"Here is a place for you, Gertrude."

Declining these ci