lly toward this "friendless
young widow," as he called her.

"But you know, Alden, that it is quite common for young men of earnest
souls like yours to take a liking to women older than themselves."

"You are not older than myself, Mary."

"Not in years, perhaps, but oh, ever so much in suffering, and in the
bitter knowledge of the world it brings! And thus, for this reason, I
was no proper wife for a happy young man like you. No young man should
ever marry a widow, and no young girl should ever marry a widower. Our
fancied love for each other was a mistake, dear Alden, and I am very
glad it was discovered before it was rendered irremediable."

"So am I," replied the young man, quite frankly. "But, dear Mary, I hope
you will henceforth look upon me and my dearest Emma as your brother and
sister, for we will be truly such in deed as well as in word to you," he
added, with grave gentleness.

"I know you will; I feel certain of that. And I thank you from my heart,
while I rejoice in your happiness. Yours will be a good, wise and
beautiful marriage with Emma, Alden," she murmured, with emotion.

"Yes, I think so too. Thanks be to Heaven!" replied the young man,
reverently bowing his head.

The steamer was now pushing off from the wharf amid much pulling,
hauling, hallooing and shouting.

You couldn't "hear yourself think," even in the cabin, for a while.

"We are off, I believe," said Mary Grey, at length, when the uproar had
subsided and they were moving swiftly and smoothly along.

"Yes. Will you come on deck? It is pleasanter there now," said Alden,
rising and offering her his arm.

She took it with a smile and let him lead her up on deck.

And as they promenaded slowly up and down, enjoying the fine September
morning and the beautiful river scenery, Mary Grey drew him on to speak
of Emma Cavendish.

Of course the young lover desired no better theme.

And in this way, leading him to discourse of his love, listening to him
with attention, pretending sympathy with his happiness, she effected
several objects important to the success of her demoniac plot. She
pleased him with himself and with her. She dispelled his suspicions, if
any still lurked in his candid soul, and she kept him always near her,
talking with her, and unconsciously attracting the attention of their
fellow-voyagers, and leading them to believe that this handsome young
man, speaking so earnestly in such low tones to his companion, and the
l