They all went up to Myrtle and congratulated her on her change of fortune.  Even Cynthia Badlam got out a phrase or two which passed muster in the midst of the general excitement.  As for Kitty Fagan, she could not say a word, but caught Myrtle’s hand and kissed it as if it belonged to her own saint; and then, suddenly applying her apron to her eyes, retreated from a scene which was too much for her, in a state of complete mental beatitude and total bodily discomfiture.

Then Silence asked the old minister to make a prayer, and he stretched his hands up to Heaven, and called down all the blessings of Providence upon all the household, and especially upon this young handmaiden, who was to be tried with prosperity, and would need all aid from above to keep her from its dangers.

Then Mr. Penhallow asked Myrtle if she had any choice as to the friend who should have charge of her affairs.  Myrtle turned to Master Byles Gridley, and said, “You have been my friend and protector so far, will you continue to be so hereafter?”

Master Gridley tried very hard to begin a few words of thanks to her for her preference, but finding his voice a little uncertain, contented himself with pressing her hand and saying, “Most willingly, my dear daughter!”

CHAPTER XXXVI

CONCLUSION.

The same day the great news of Myrtle Hazard’s accession to fortune came out, the secret was told that she had promised herself in marriage to Mr. Clement Lindsay.  But her friends hardly knew how to congratulate her on this last event.  Her lover was gone, to risk his life, not improbably to lose it, or to come home a wreck, crippled by wounds, or worn out with disease.

Some of them wondered to see her so cheerful in such a moment of trial.  They could not know how the manly strength of Clement’s determination had nerved her for womanly endurance.  They had not learned that a great cause makes great souls, or reveals them to themselves,—­a lesson taught by so many noble examples in the times that followed.  Myrtle’s only desire seemed to be to labor in some way to help the soldiers and their families.  She appeared to have forgotten everything for this duty; she had no time for regrets, if she were disposed to indulge them, and she hardly asked a question as to the extent of the fortune which had fallen to her.

The next number of the “Banner and Oracle” contained two announcements which she read with some interest when her attention was called to them.  They were as follows: 

“A fair and accomplished daughter of this village comes, by the late decision of the Supreme Court, into possession of a property estimated at a million of dollars or more.  It consists of a large tract of land purchased many years ago by the late Malachi Withers, now become of immense value by the growth of a city in its neighborhood, the opening of mines, etc., etc.  It is rumored that the lovely and highly educated heiress has formed a connection looking towards matrimony with a certain distinguished artist.”