life long friend, an old schoolmate. At that time, Mrs. Houghton was
residing in a small town near Denver, Colorado. She was a widow with
scant means of support; with only one child, a daughter. Mrs. Houghton,
in her letter, said: 'I am dying among strangers! I am leaving my
darling daughter alone in the world, without money, without relatives;
simply in charge of recently acquired friends. As a last request, I beg
you, after I am gone to exercise a protecting care over my orphaned
child!'

"This letter worried my mother greatly. I think if she had been well,
she would have hurried to Mrs. Houghton's bedside. After some delay, she
finally turned the letter over to me to answer. Just at that time, my
mind was wholly preoccupied with preparations for my fast approaching
wedding day; and also, with the adjustment of a number of important
church matters, which demanded my immediate attention. Without taking
time to read the letter, without realizing its importance, or its
urgency; I mechanically placed it in my desk, thinking meanwhile, that
when the time came in which I could pen a reply, I would then confer
with mother for further instructions. Unfortunately, the letter became
misplaced and all memory of its existence, passed out of my mind!

"One month ago, while busily engaged in assorting and rearranging a
confusing mass of papers, I found the lost letter. After reading it
carefully, I became conscience-smitten, as I thought what serious
results might have followed my criminal negligence. I then commenced a
search for this young lady, which has finally lead me to Solaris. I have
traced her here, as a member of your colony. Her name is Honora Eloise
Houghton. Do you know her, Fillmore! Is she here?"

"Make yourself perfectly easy, friend Gaylord! She is here! She is all
right! Miss Houghton does not need your protecting care, or the
protecting care of anyone. She is abundantly able to take good care of
herself and of plenty of other people besides! She can dissipate your
troubles in a jiffy! She can give you something to think of, which will
not fail to hold your close attention. She can soon find a work for you,
in which you will be interested in spite of yourself! In fact George,
Honora Eloise Houghton, is one of the brightest, most independent,
capable, self-poised, self-supporting young women at Solaris! If she
should kindly consent to take you under the brooding care of her
protecting wing, in one month's time