when, strengthened by the good cheer, and comforted by the presence of
his child, he bade good-night to Carmen and Sister Agatha, and betook
himself to the lodging-house to seek repose.

* * * * * *

"Have you heard the news? Brother Mauer, whom we thought dead and
buried, is here!" passed from lip to lip in the settlement the next
morning. The wonderful event occupied every mind, and filled the
Brothers and Sisters with amazement. But no one except Carmen had seen
him as yet. He had slept until near noon, recovering some of his lost
strength, and his daughter had sat quietly watching by him during the
whole morning, so that his first waking glance might fall on her.
Afterwards they took breakfast together in his room, each recounting
the occurrences of the past years, and drawing happy plans for the
future. He proposed to buy a house in the settlement, and Carmen
should keep house for him, nothing but death ever separating them again.

Carmen's heart grew light as a bird. She was so delighted to have her
father restored to her--so happy in the security of a love which would
always shelter and protect her! It would shield her even against
Brother Jonathan's love, which was so abhorrent to her; and she took
counsel with herself whether or no it would be best to tell the old man
all the terror she had suffered a short time before. Truly a promise
of silence had been given; but ought she not to make her father an
exception? She could not see clearly what was the right thing to do,
and therefore resolved not to mention Jonathan at all.

The latter had gone on a short journey a few days previously, and she
would thus have time to consider the matter, and wait for some quieter