effort on my part to set this matter straight? I cannot. I
have done you the wrong of silence when knowledge would
have saved you shock and bitter disillusion, but I will not
add to my fault the inertia of a cowardly soul. Have patience
with me, then; and continue to cherish those treasures
of truth and affection which you may one day feel free to
bestow once more upon one who has a right to each and all
of them.

This is your mother's prayer.

DEBORAH SCOVILLE.

It was not easy for her to sign herself thus. It was a name which
she had tried her best to forget for twelve long, preoccupied
years. But how could she use any other in addressing her daughter
who had already declared her intention of resuming her father's
name, despite the opprobrium it carried and the everlasting bar it
must in itself raise between herself and Oliver Ostrander?

Deborah Scoville!

A groan broke from her lips as she rapidly folded that name in,
and hid it out of sight in the envelope she as rapidly addressed.

But her purpose had been accomplished, or would be when once this
letter reached Reuther. With these words in declaration against
her she could not retreat from the stand she had therein taken. It
was another instance of burning one's ships upon disembarking, and
the effect made upon the writer showed itself at once in her