of impossible devices for the relief of her scapegrace brother. Not for one instant would she entertain the thought of applying to her uncle in accordance with his

er beautiful eyes made her uncle and aunt extremely anxious, especially as they

way of procuring the money for him, for she would not apply to the

f her declarations to the contrary, apply to Colonel Rush, guarding his secret, and taking upon herself all the weight and embarrassment of asking such an unheard of favor. But although he did strive to be hopeful, he had times of the deepest despondency and dread, when he looked hi

the two boys should make full restitution, and justly so, and he coul

day, "have you written to yo

rcy, looking dismayed at the bare idea of such

it must involve confession, but they would be the most lenient and tender judges one could have. Why not make a clean breast of it, Percy, and h

mmered Percy. "I have asked and-a

sed and forlorn that Harley

a piece of work over which I had spent much time and which I had devoted to a special purpose. I have a young sister who has a wonderful talent for drawing and painting, is, in fact, a genius; and her gift ought to be cultivated, for we hope it will, in time, be a source of profit to herself and others; but my father is a poor clergyman, and all of us try to do what we can to help ourselves and one another. You know on what terms I am here; and it is only through the kindness of Dr. Leac

at so-and as he seldom spoke of himself they knew little of his affairs or of his family relations; and

to speak, had brightened as Seabrooke went on; and when he mentioned his sister

ister's name? G

surprised at the quest

cy; and then followed the story of the meeting in the church and o

my father, and the Christmas box to my sister?" said Seabrooke, feeling much mor

, and they are all agog about some prize they hope to win among them, a prize which will give them somehow, an artist education, which they can give to some girl who needs it. I don't know exactly how it is, only I do know they are all just agog

rn pride which was one of his characteristics, up in arms at o

is dead, so one needn't feel any special obligation to the girls. It is only that they earn the right to say to whom the gift shall go; they don't give it. And," he added, with his usual happy faculty

equivalent for my tuition, so I am not altogether a charity scholar. And it is my object to provide for my sister myself, and I still insist that

y asked that it should; and you are"-and here he launched into some most uncomplimentary remarks, and then dashed from the room, leaving Harley to feel that he had made a great mist

to Lena to find some means of helping him before Easter, that

nd took this with others from him. For Hannah, following out her policy that the end justified the means, and undeterred by the scrape into which Percy

ut she really had done so, though the faithful old nurse clung till the last moment

e visit to Lena, and came down loo

h, "and she appears to me to have something on her mind.

out to speak of it to you. She is such a reticent, reserved child, that I did not like to try and f

ded it to her, she flushed painfully and seemed very nervous, and I noticed that

ed this, and had no clew whereby she might guess

spend the day with her. She is able, I think, to hav

hese prime favorites of his to his own house, went for them himself, and findin

n she saw them, and soon left the young patient with her tw

ess shy than Maggie, had been the first to offer her sympathy and comfort at the time when Lena had been left at he

could not seek to draw forth confidences. But, with her usual considerate thoughtfulness, she did that which was perhaps better; she presently withdrew

d advice. Lena knew Bessie's strict conscientiousness, which was almost equalled by her own, and she knew also Bessie's complete trust in her parents, an

mother, nor had any of the children in that large and happy family

her clear, straightforward views on the matter; for Lena feared, and justly, that her own wishes mig

Bessie, "is your br

"he is improving ever

er," said Bessie, simply, but in half-questioning tones, th

said Lena, wistfully. "You remember

answered Bessie. "Ho

e right to use some of that money to help them out of their trouble? You know papa and Russell say I may use it for any charity I ch

l be, at such a vague representation of the case. "I suppose," thoughtfully, "that it

o think or what to do," exclaimed poor Lena, breaking do

he subject of Lena's relations with her own family with some reluctance, "but, Lena dear, if you do not want to ask your

aking she saw that the suggesti

Lena, "that would be worse than all

u not?" as

," answered Lena, more excitedly than ever. "Te

t know what it is?" said the t

Bessie's almost morbid conscientiousness and her horror of anything small, mean or tricky, she knew that she would

d, falteringly, "but you will not tel

d Bessie. "I couldn't keep a secret of my own from her; but some

tell your mother everything-thing

thoughtful

er children, she would have added, but checked herself with the thought that Lena enjoyed no such blessing, and that she was presenting too forcible a contrast between her own lot and that of her li

er know. He wouldn't like it; he would never

ashed up

it Percy?"

whole story; at least, the whole as she kn

is chivalrous gallantry to girls; so much so, that it was a subject of joke among his schoolmates and companions; and Fred, although known as a tease, was quite above anything small or petty, and would have scorned to ask such a thing as this from any girl, especially fro

spite of her ardent wish to do this, her upright little soul could by no means advise or justify

r father and brother said for charity, di

ce, "but papa said I could use it for any good object I chose.

letter to which Lena pointed, "yes; but Percy is not an 'ob

en said slowly again: "But, Lena, why don't you tell yo

what might happen to Percy or to the rest of the family. Russell must be spared, at all hazards, and it was plainly to be seen

t with some one who could sympathize, Lena had gained nothing by imparting it to her little friend; and when Maggie return

ons; but when they wer

said

ot tell Uncle Horace or Aunt Marion or any of her people. And then again it is not her very own secret, but some one else's, and i

o very curious about it, although, of course, I should li

d to tell me. I can't bear not to tell her or not to tell you; but I thought I would promise, because Lena is such a very good girl and so very true, a

usand times a day bes

uld you help Len

ee how any one can help her, so long as she will not tell a

y; but to all inquiries she returned only a faint smile without words, while to her mother she confessed that

ted them as if they were reasonable beings, and on the rare occasions, such as the present, when th