ad not heard so soon. The lady
received the announcement with an exquisite blush and downcast eyes,
though she admitted that the major had himself apprised her of his safe
arrival. On this particular evening the lady seemed to Mr. Brown to be
personally more charming than ever; yet, on the other hand, the old
embarrassment was so painfully evident that Mr. Brown made an early
departure. Arrived at home he found a letter from the major which read
as follows:

"MY DEAR OLD FELLOW.--From the day on which I met you in Colorado I've
been trying to live after your pattern; how I succeeded on the third
day, you may guess from inclosed, which is a copy of a letter I sent to
Florence by you. I've only just got her permission to send it to you,
though I've teased her once a week on the subject. God bless you, old
fellow. Don't worry on my account, for I'm really happy. Yours truly,

"MALLING."

With wondering eyes Hubert Brown read the inclosure, which read as
follows:

"Miss ELSERLY--Three days ago, while a fugitive from justice, yet
honestly loving you more than I ever loved any other being, I met Hubert
Brown. He has cared for me as if I was his dearest friend; he is going
to make good my financial deficiencies, and restore me to
respectability. He cannot have done this out of love for _me_, for he
knows nothing of me but that which should make him hate me, on both
personal and moral grounds. He says he did it because he loved you, and
because he wants to see you happy. Miss Elserly, such love cannot be a
thing of the past only, and it is so great that in comparison with it
the best love that _I_ have ever given you seems beneath your notice. He
is begging me to go back for your sake; he is constantly talking to me
about you in a tone and with a look that shows how strong is the feeling
he is sacrificing, out of sincere regard for you. Miss Elserly, I never
imagined the angels loving as purely and strongly as he does. He tells
me you still retain some regard for me; the mere thought is so great a
comfort that I cannot bear to reason seriously about it; yet, if any
such feelings exist, I must earnestly beg of you, out of the sincere and
faithful affection I have had for you, to give up all thought of me for
ever, and give yourself entirely to that most incomparable lover, Hubert
Brown.

"Forgive my intrusion and advice. I give it because the remembrance of
our late relations will assure you of the honesty and earnestness