alone in it. I have feared it inexpressibly, and with good reason. I
have fought it, and have often been worsted. At times I have hated it;
but as I began to succeed I learned to love it, and to serve it with
an ambition that gave me so little respite that yesterday I thought
that I was a broken and worn-out man. If ever the world had a slave, I
am one; but there have been times during this June day when I
earnestly wished that I might break my chains; and your serene, kindly
face, that is in such blessed contrast to its shrewd, exacting, and
merciless spirit, gave hope from the first."

"So thee has been alone in the world since thee was a little boy," she
said, in a tone that seemed the echo of my dead mother's voice.

"Since I was twelve years of age," I replied, after a moment, and
looking away. I could not meet her kind eyes as I added: "My mother's
memory has been the one good, sacred influence of my life; but I have
not been so true to it as I ought to have been--nothing like so true."

"Has thee no near friends or relatives?"

"I have acquaintances by the hundred, but there is no one to whom I
could speak as I have to you, whom I have known but a few hours. A man
has intuitions sometimes as well as a woman."

"How strange it all is!" said Mrs. Yocomb, with a sigh, and looking
absently out of the window to where the sun glowed not far above the
horizon. Its level rays lighted up her face, making it so beautiful
and noble that I felt assured that I had come to the right one for
light and guidance. "Every heart seems to have its burden when the
whole truth is known," she added, meditatively. "I wonder if any are