"I cannot imagine any barriers surrounding you; and did they exist, my judgment of you would be that you would find some way to surmount or destroy them." "There are some barriers, some fetters," he said, gently, "against which humanity, even at its best, is powerless." "Yes," she answered, a touch of sadness in her voice; "and there are sometimes sorrows and troubles in which even the closest and warmest friendship is powerless to aid or comfort." "Don't allow yourself to think that of your friendship for me," he said, quickly.

"Assured of your confidence and sympathy, I shall be ten times stronger to face whatever the future may bring.

If I succeed in what I am about to undertake, I shall one day tell you all that your friendship has been worth to me.

If I fail, the thought that you believe in me and trust me, while it will not be all that I could wish, may be all that I can ask." "And if you should fail," she queried, slowly, "would you give me no opportunity to show you, and others, my confidence in you, even then ?" "My dear Miss Carleton," he replied, in tones tremulous with suppressed feeling, "much as I appreciate your kindness, I would never, now or at any future time, willingly mar your life or your happiness by asking you to share any burden which might be laid upon me.

I would at least leave you to go your way in peace, while I went mine." "And I ?" she asked, reproachfully.