cke received the news with an
encouraging smile, telling him that the doctor had long prepared her
to expect that her boy would very properly go and establish himself
in the West; that she should correspond with him frequently, and as
soon as he should be settled, come and keep house for him.

Finally she said that, anticipating this emergency, she had, during her
three years' residence beneath the doctor's roof, saved three hundred
dollars, which she should give her boy to start with.

The tears rushed to the young man's eyes.

"For your dear sake, mother, only for yours, may they become three
hundred thousand in my hands!" he exclaimed.

Preparations were immediately commenced for Traverse's journey.

As before, Clara gladly gave her aid in getting ready his wardrobe. As
he was about to make his debut as a young physician in a strange city,
his mother was anxious that his dress should be faultless; and,
therefore, put the most delicate needlework upon all the little articles
of his outfit. Clara volunteered to mark them all. And one day, when
Traverse happened to be alone with his mother, she showed him his
handkerchiefs, collars and linen beautifully marked in minute
embroidered letters.

"I suppose, Traverse, that you, being a young man, cannot appreciate the
exquisite beauty of this work," she said.

"Indeed, but I can, mother! I did not sit by your side so many years
while you worked without knowing something about it. This is wonderful!
The golden thread with which the letters are embroidered is finer than
the finest silk I ever saw!" said Traverse, admiringly, to please his
mother, whom he supposed to be the embroideress.

"Well they may be!" said Mrs. Rocke, "for that golden thread of which
you speak is Clara's golden hair, which she herself has drawn out and
threaded her needle with, and worked into the letters of your name."

Traverse suddenly looked up, his color went and came, he had no words to
reply.

"I told you because I thought it would give you pleasure to know it, and
that it would be a comfort to you when you are far away from us; for,
Traverse, I hope that by this time you have grown strong and wise enough
to have conquered yourself, and to enjoy dear Clara's friendship
aright!"

"Mother!" he said, sorrowfully, and then his voice broke down, and
without another word he turned and left the room.

To feel how deeply and hopelessly he loved the doctor's sweet
daughter--to feel sure that