e more firmly rooted than they were before I
sailed." Here poor Mary heaved a heavy sigh, and wiped the tears from her
eyes. She was pained to a degree she could hardly believe possible, though
she did full credit to Roswell's frankness. Like all devout persons, her
faith in the efficacy of sacred writ was strong: and she so much the more
lamented her suitor's continued blindness, because it remained after light
had shone upon it. "Still, Mary," the letter added, "as I have every human
inducement to endeavour to be right, I shall not throw aside the book, by
any means. In that I fully believe; our difference being in what the
volume teaches. Pray for me, sweetest girl--but I know you do, and will
continue to do, as long as I am absent."

"Yes, indeed, Roswell," murmured Mary--"as long as you and I live!"

"Next to this one great concern of my life, comes that which this man
Daggett gives me,"--the letter went on to say. "I hardly know what to do
under all the circumstances. Keep in his company much longer I cannot,
without violating my duty to the deacon. Yet, it is not easy, in any
sense, to get rid of him. He has stood by me so manfully on all occasions,
and seems so much disposed to make good-fellowship of the voyage, that,
did it depend on myself only, I should at once make a bargain with him to
seal in company, and to divide the spoils. But this is now impossible, and
I must quit him in some way or other. He outsails me in most weathers, and
it is a thing easier said than done. What will make it more difficult is
the growing shortness of the nights. The days lengthen fast now, and as we
go south they will become so much longer, that, by the time when it will
be indispensable to separate, it will be nearly all day. The thing must be
done, however, and I trust to luck to be able to do it as it ought to be
effected.

"And now, dearest, dearest Mary--" But why should we lift the veil from
the feelings of this young man, who concluded his letter by pouring out
his whole heart in a few sincere and manly sentences. Mary wept over them
most of that day, perusing and reperusing them, until her eyes would
scarce perform their proper office.

A few days later the deacon was made a very happy man by the receipt of a
letter from Fish & Grinnell, notifying him of the arrival of his oil,
accompanied by a most gratifying account of the state of the market, and
asking for instructions. The oil was disposed of, and the deacon pock