ot afraid to
try the boat again, if some one will help me."

Harrington did not move, and after a perplexed look from one to the
other, Ben stooped his shoulder that she might lean upon it.

When they reached the boat, Mabel was almost exhausted, but she found
strength to think of Agnes, who had silently followed them.

"Will you not get in?" she said, faintly, "I should be glad to have you
with me."

"No," answered the girl, in the sweetest of all accents, "nurse would be
terrified to death. I will return home."

"Not alone," said James Harrington, "that must not be."

"Oh, Mr. Harrington, I am used to being alone. It is the fate of a poor
girl like me!"

There was something plaintive in her voice, and she drooped meekly
forward, as if imploring pardon for having said so much.

Harrington remained a moment thoughtful; at last he addressed Ben.

"Proceed up the river," he said, "slowly it must be, for the stream is
against you. I will see that Miss Barker reaches home safely, and
overtake you."

Ben looked up in astonishment. "Why, Mister James, she's allers alone in
these ere woods. No blackbird knows the bush better, what's the use?"

Mabel said nothing, but her eyes turned upon Harrington with a wistful
and surprised look.

"No matter, she must not go through the woods alone," answered
Harrington. "Keep snug to the shore, and be ready to answer my hail; I
will overtake you in a few minutes."

Harrington moved away as he uttered these words, following Agnes into
the woods.

Mabel looked after them with sadness in her eyes; then, bowing her face
softly upon her folded arms, she remained motionless, save that her lips
moved, and broken whispers which the angels of Heaven gathered and laid
before the throne of God, stole through them. They had advanced some
distance up the shore, when Harrington hailed the boat; Ben did not
pretend to hear him, but Mabel, lifting her face, now full of
gentleness, said, with a smile--

"Stop, Ben, he is calling for you!"

"Let him call and be----" Ben caught the profane word in his teeth, and
swallowing it with a great struggle, commenced again--

"Let him call till he's tired, why didn't he stay with that old Judas
and the young witch. To think of going off with sich like, and madame
just a dying--halloo away, Ben Benson 'll sink afore he hears you!"

Ben muttered this between his teeth, and worked away at the oars,
doggedly resolved to continue his fit of deafness