she perceived and returned his dumb,
despairing love--and to know that duty, gratitude, honor commanded him
to be silent, to tear himself away from her and make no sign, was a
trial almost too great for the young heart's integrity. Scarcely could
he prevent the internal struggle betraying itself upon his countenance.
As the time drew near for his departure self-control grew difficult and
almost impossible. Even Clara lost her joyous spirits and despite all
her efforts to be cheerful, grew so pensive that her father, without
seeming to understand the cause, gayly rallied her upon her dejection.

Traverse understood it and almost longed for the day to come when he
should leave this scene of his love and his sore trial.

One afternoon, a few days before he was to start, Doctor Day sent for
Traverse to come to him in his study. And as soon as they were seated
comfortably together at the table the doctor put into the young man's
hand a well-filled pocketbook; and when Traverse, with a deep and
painful blush, would have given it back, he forced it upon him with the
old argument:

"It is only a loan, my boy! Money put out at interest! Capital well and
satisfactorily invested! And now listen to me! I am about to speak to
you of that which is much nearer your heart----"

Traverse became painfully embarrassed.

"Traverse," resumed the doctor, "I have grown to love you as a son, and
to esteem you as a man. I have lived long enough to value solid
integrity far beyond wealth or birth, and when that integrity is adorned
and enriched by high talents, it forms a character of excellence not
often met with in this world. I have proved both your integrity and your
talents, Traverse, and I am more than satisfied with you--I am proud of
you, my boy."

Traverse bowed deeply, but still blushed.

"You will wonder," continued the doctor, "to what all this talk tends. I
will tell you. Traverse, I have long known your unspoken love for Clara,
and I have honored your scruples in keeping silent, when silence must
have been so painful. Your trial is now over, my son! Go and open for
yourself an honorable career in the profession you have chosen and
mastered, and return, and Clara shall be yours!"

Traverse, overwhelmed with surprise and joy at this incredible good
fortune, seized the doctor's hand, and in wild and incoherent language
tried to express his gratitude.

"There--there," said the doctor, "go and tell Clara all this and bring
t