Almost unconsciously her gentle nature began to beat in sympathy with Angeline's, and a tear stole slowly down her cheek.

"You have heard from Tite; is he sick?
have you heard bad news ?" she inquired, in rapid succession, as she watched every change in Angeline's features.
Angeline shook her head, and looked up sweetly but sorrowfully in Mattie's face.

"Nothing, nothing, my good child," she replied, kissing Mattie's hand.

But there was the tear of sorrow writing its tale on her cheek.

"God will bless and protect our Tite," she resumed; "but we have heard nothing from him since the letter you saw." "I am so glad," rejoined Mattie, her face lighting up with a sweet smile.