"Fred," she said; "dear Fred." "Good-bye, aunt.

The last word I have to say is that I implore you not to leave Scroope as long as you are comfortable here." "You will come back ?" "I cannot say anything certain about that." She still had hold of him with both hands and was looking into his face with loving, frightened, wistful eyes.

"I know," she said, "that you will be thinking of what passed between us yesterday." "Certainly I shall remember it." "I have been praying for you, Fred; and now I tell you to look to your Father which is in Heaven for guidance, and not to take it from any poor frail sinful human being.

Ask Him to keep your feet steady in the path, and your heart pure, and your thoughts free from wickedness.

Oh, Fred, keep your mind and body clear before Him, and if you will kneel to Him for protection, He will show you a way through all difficulties." It was thus that she intended to tell him that his promise to her, made on the previous day, was to count for nought, and that he was to marry the girl if by no other way he could release himself from vice.