For Jack, a situation was found in a merchant’s counting-room, and he became a thriving young merchant, being eventually taken into partnership.  Ida grew lovelier as she grew older, and her rare beauty caused her to be sought after.  If she does not marry well and happily, it will not be for want of an opportunity.

Dear reader, you who deem that all stories should end with a marriage, shall not be disappointed.

One day Aunt Rachel was missing from her room.  It was remembered that she had appeared singularly for some days previous, and the knowledge of her constitutional low spirits, led to the apprehension that she had made way with herself.  The cooper was about to notify the police, when the front door opened and Rachel walked in.  She was accompanied by a short man, stout and freckled.

“Why, Aunt Rachel,” exclaimed Mrs. Crump, “where have you been?  We have been so anxious about you.”

A faint flush came to Aunt Rachel’s sallow cheek.

“Sister Mary,” said she, “you will be surprised, perhaps, but—­but this is my consort.  Mr. Smith, let me introduce you to my sister.”

“Then you are married, Rachel,” said Mrs. Crump, quite confounded.

“Yes,” said Rachel; “I—­I don’t expect to live long, and it won’t make much difference.”

“I congratulate you, Mrs. Smith,” said Mary Crump, heartily; “and I wish you a long and happy life, I am sure.”

It is observed that, since her marriage, Aunt Rachel’s fits of depression are less numerous than before.  She has even been seen to smile repeatedly, and has come to bear, with philosophical equanimity, her nephew Jack’s sly allusions to her elopement.

One word more.  At the close of her term of confinement, Peg came to Mrs. Clifton, and reminded her of her promise.  Dick was dead, and she was left alone in the world.  Imprisonment had not hardened her as it so often does.  She had been redeemed by the kindness of those she had injured.  Mrs. Clifton secured her a position in which her energy and administrative ability found fitting exercise, and she leads a laborious and useful life, in a community where her antecedents are not known.

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