“Yes,” and Adah spoke sadly.  “I know he does, and I am sorry for Hugh’s sake, as it must annoy him.  Neither can I account for it, for I am certainly nothing to Hugh.  But there’s another look in Willie’s face, his father’s.  Oh, Miss Johnson, George was handsome.”

“Can you describe him, or will it be too painful?” Alice asked, and Adah told how George Hastings looked, while Alice’s handy worked nervously together, for Adah was describing Dr. Richards.

“And you’ve never seen him since, nor guessed where his proud mother lived?”

“Never, and when only the wrong is remembered, I think I never care to see or hear from him again.  But the noble, self-denying Hugh!  I would almost die for him; I ask God every day to bring him some good fortune at last.  He will, I know He will, and Hugh shall yet—­”

She stopped short, struck with an idea which had never before entered her mind.  Hugh and Alice!  Oh, if that could be.

“Why do you look at me?” Alice asked, as Adah sat drinking in the dazzling beauty which she wished might one day shine for Hugh.

“I am thinking how beautiful you are, and wondering if you ever loved any one; did you?”

“Not like you,” Alice answered frankly.  “When a little girl of thirteen I owed my life to a youth with many characteristics like Hugh Worthington.  I liked him, and wanted so much to find him, but could not.  Then I grew to womanhood, and another crossed my path, well skilled in finding every avenue to a maiden’s heart.  I did not love him.  I am glad that I did not, for he was unworthy of my love; but I fancied him a while, and my heart did ache a little when mother on her deathbed talked to me against him.  It was my money he wanted most, and when he thought I had none, he left me, saying as I heard, that I ’was a nice-ish kind of girl, rather good-looking, but too blue for him.’”

“And the other, the boy like Hugh, have you met him again?” Adah asked, feeling a little disappointed, when Alice replied: 

“Once, I am very sure.”

Alice heard the faint sigh, and hope died out for Hugh.  Poor Hugh!  Alice was thinking of him, too, and said at last:  “Was Rocket sold to Colonel Tiffton for debt?”

“Yes, for ’Lina’s debts, contracted at Harney’s.  I’ve heard of his boasting that Hugh should yet be compelled to see him galloping down the pike upon his idol.”

“He never shall!” and Alice spoke under her breath, asking further questions concerning the sale of Colonel Tiffton’s house, and now much Mosside was worth.

Adah did not know.  She was only posted with regard to Rocket, who was pawned for five hundred dollars.  “Once I insanely hoped that I might help redeem him—­that God would find a work for me to do—­and my heart was so happy for a moment.”

“What did you think of doing?” Alice asked, glancing at the delicate young girl, who looked so unaccustomed to toil of any kind.