ed in lying down by my side, not
yielding even to the wiles of his master, whose amusement over this fact
kept him good-natured to the last adieu.

There were too few candles in the house to make it bright, but Lucetta's
unearthly beauty, the peace in Loreen's soft eyes, made us forget the
sombreness of our surroundings and the meagreness of the entertainment
Hannah attempted to offer us. It was the promise of coming joy, and
when, our two guests departed, I bade good-night to the girls in their
grim upper hall, it was with feelings which found their best expression
in the two letters I hastened to write as soon as I gained the refuge of
my own apartment. I will admit you sufficiently into my confidence to
let you read those letters. The first of them ran thus:

"DEAR OLIVE:

"To make others happy is the best way to forget our own
misfortunes. A sudden wedding is to take place in this house.
Order at once for me from the shops you know me to be in the
habit of patronizing, a wedding gown of dainty white taffeta [I
did this not to recall too painfully to herself the wedding
dress I helped her buy, and which was, as you may remember, of
creamy satin], with chiffon trimmings, and a wedding veil of
tulle. Add to this a dress suitable for ocean travel and a
half-dozen costumes adapted to a southern climate. Let
everything be suitable for a delicate but spirited girl who has
seen trouble, but who is going to be happy now if a little
attention and money can make her so. Do not spare expense, yet
show no extravagance, for she is a shy bird, easily frightened.
The measurements you will find enclosed; also those of another
young lady, her sister, who must also be supplied with a white
dress, the material of which, however, had better be of crape.

"All these things must be here by Wednesday evening, my own
best dress included. On Saturday evening you may look for my
return. I shall bring the latter young lady with me, so your
present loneliness will be forgotten in the pleasure of
entertaining an agreeable guest. Faithfully yours,

"AMELIA BUTTERWORTH."

The second letter was a longer and more important one. It was directed
to the president of the company which had proposed to send Mr. Ostrander
to South America. In it I related enough of the circumstances which had
kept Mr. Ostrander in X. to interest him in