So desirous did he find his parents that May Edgerton should be his
wife, that he did not dare confess his recreancy, but relied upon the
hope that May's affections were already engaged, and thus she would save
him in part from the anger of his parents. Why did not Mr. and Mrs.
Sherwood frown and scold at May's poor taste! Why! Because they loved
their son Marion quite as well his half-brother, Walter Cunningham, and
were easily reconciled to the change of suitors, especially when they
learned Walter had already secured a most estimable wife.

Marion had heard that his brother was engaged conditionally to some
"proud, beauty heiress" of New York, and was not at all displeased to
have him renounce all claim to his promised bride, when he found to his
astonishment that it was his own May Edgerton, whom Cunningham confessed
it would have been no difficult thing to love.

"Only to think of May Edgerton marrying a fireman!" exclaimed Hal
Delancey, in great glee, as the wedding, which passed off as all
weddings should, without a cloud upon heart, face, or sky.

May blushed and whispered to Marion that if ever there was a benevolent,
noble, trustworthy man upon the earth, it was a true-hearted fireman.

If my recital has enlarged one contracted soul, has persuaded one mind
to throw aside false prejudices, has taught one child of luxury to look
with sympathetic admiration on those who devote themselves so nobly to
the public good, has encouraged one bold heart to labor with more
exalted zeal in the cause of humanity, this "ower true tale" has not
been written in vain.

THE END