I heard about it last night,
I would not give father any peace till he promised to bring me to
Boston."

"Don't be so wild, Julia," interposed her mother. "You forget that he
is very sick."

"Forgive me, Harry; I was so glad and so sorry. I hope I didn't make
your head ache," she added, in a very gentle tone.

"No, Julia. It was very good of you to come and see me."

Harry felt a change come over him the moment she entered the room. The
rebellious thoughts in his bosom seemed to be banished by her
presence; and though his head ached and his flesh burned as much as
ever, he somehow had more courage to endure them.

After Mr. and Mrs. Bryant had asked him a few questions, and expressed
their sympathy in proper terms, they departed, leaving Julia to remain
with the invalid for a couple of hours.

"I did not expect to see you, Julia," said Harry, when they had gone.

"Didn't you think I would do as much for you as you did for me?"

"It was rather different with you. I am only a poor boy, and you are a
rich man's child."

"Pooh, Harry! Our souls are all of a color. You can't think how bad I
felt when father got Mr. Wake's letter."

"It's a hard case to be knocked down in that way, and laid up in the
house for a week or two."

"I know it; but we must be patient."

"Can't be patient. I haven't any patience--not a bit. If I could get
hold of Ben Smart, I would choke him. I hope they will catch him and
send him to the state prison for life."

Julia looked sad. These malignant words did not sound like those of
the Harry West she had known and loved. They were so bitter that they
curdled the warm blood in her veins, and the heart of Harry seemed
less tender than before.

"Harry," said she, in soft tones, and so sad that he could not but
observe the change which had come over her.

"Well, Julia."

"You don't mean what you said."

"Don't mean it?"

"No, I am sure you don't. Do you remember what the Bible says?"

"What does it say?" asked he, deeply impressed by the sad and solemn
tones of the little angel.

"'Forgive your enemies,' Harry."

"Forgive Ben Smart, after he has almost killed me?" Julia took up the
Bible, which lay on the table by the bedside--it was the one she had
given him--and read several passages upon the topic she had
introduced.

Harry was ashamed of himself. The gentle rebuke she administered
touched his soul, and he thought how peevish and ill-natured he had
been.

"You have been