invading Mattie's mind as she sat at the parlor
window one morning, looking out over Bowling Green, contemplating the
strange influences by which she was surrounded, and wondering what the
future would bring her. There was something so earnest and yet so kindly
in that pale, expressive face, and those soft blue eyes.

She had counted the days since Tite sailed. It was nearly three years
ago, and only one letter had been received from him. There was a report
in circulation now that the ship, with all on board, was lost. And
although this report could not be traced to any reliable source, it was
credited by the owners, who had heard nothing of the ship since she left
Coquimbo.

The love Mattie bore Tite burned as brightly now as on the day when
first it was kindled. She had thought of him always, dreamed of him,
prayed for him, for she had the heart of a good and true woman. Yes, she
had followed Tite in her love-dream through all the strange depths of
that mysterious ocean. But the more she traced for him the more it
seemed to deepen her disappointment. Still hope flattered her lingering
love, cheered her, and brightened the star of her future. Hope came to
cheer the heart that had longed for relief so lovingly, that had begun
to yield to the stormy forebodings which hope deferred oppresses the
soul with.

Notwithstanding all this, fear at times seemed to get the better of her
resolution. How she had watched and waited, and yet there was no tidings
of his coming.

Was Tite lost? If so, how, and where was he lost? Must she give him up
as gone forever? Must she give him up, and see him, and hold sweet
communion with him, only in her love-dream, among the flowers fancy
pictures in the garden of our hopes? Must she forget the idol of her
love, transport her affections, yield to her mother's wishes, which were
daily becoming more pressing, and marry Mr. Gusher, a man she did not
even respect, much less love? In gratifying a mother's ambition she
might, perhaps, make her own life wretched. If Tite was lost, what was
to become of his aged parents, Hanz and Angeline? Their welfare seemed
to concern her even more deeply than that of her own parents. Hanz had
found means of communicating with her, had made her acquainted with all
his troubles, and now the day set for a hearing of his case was near at
hand.

Mattie knew nothing really bad of Mr. Gusher. He had seemed to her one
of those uncertain characters who float about on