“Write me upon this, and don’t mention it to the Colonel.

“I have made the acquaintance of Miss Giddings, who is very kind to me; and she and Ida furnish that essential element of ladies’ society which you desired I should have.  I confess I don’t care much for men; but I have so little to give in return for the kindness of these noble, refined and intellectual ladies, that here again I am a receiver of alms.  No matter; women never receive any proper return from men, any way.

“Ask Ed and George to write, and tell me all the little pleasant details of the farm life and home.  How tender and sweet and dear it all is to me; and what a gulf seems to have opened between me and all the past!

“Ever with love, dear mother,

BART.”

Mrs. Ridgeley received and read the letter in the store.  While she was absorbed in it.  Mrs. Markham came in, and was struck by the expression of her face.  As she finished the perusal, she discovered Mrs. Markham, and her look of recognition induced the latter to approach her.  The incidents of the last few weeks had silently ripened the liking of the two women into a very warm and cordial feeling.  As Mrs. Markham approached, the other gave her her hand, and held out Bart’s letter.  Mrs. Markham received it, and as her eye ran over it, Mrs. Ridgeley could easily see the look of pleasure and warmth that lit up her face.

“Oh, by all means,” she said, “tell him not hesitate a moment.  Providence has sent him a friend, and means, and his pride should not be in the way of this offer.”

“He is proud,” said Mrs. Ridgeley, gravely; “but it is not wholly pride that makes him hesitate.”

“Pardon me,” said Mrs. Markham, “I don’t mean to blame him; I sympathize with even his pride, and admire him for the very qualities that prevented his allowing us to aid him, and I hope those high qualities will never lose a proper influence over him.”

The mother was a little more than appeased.

“Am I to read the rest?”

“Certainly.”

And she resumed.  A little graver she looked at one or two lines, and then the sweet smile and light came back to her face; and she handed back the letter.

“What a treasure to you this son must be,” she said; and she again urged her to write to Bart at once, and induce him to accept the kind offer made to him.

Mrs. Ridgeley explained who Miss Aikens was, and her relations to Henry; that Miss Giddings was the daughter of the member of Congress, &c.  Mrs. Markham had noticed that Bart spoke of them as “ladies,” and not as young ladies, though what mental comment she made upon it was never known.