I need a sister's love so much, and Adah has given it to me.

You like Adah ?" and he fixed his eyes inquiringly on Alice, who answered: "Yes, very much." Now that the money matter was settled Hugh did not care to talk longer of that or of himself, and eagerly seized upon Adah as a topic interesting to both, and which would be likely to keep Alice with him for a while at least, so, after a moment's silence, during which Alice was revolving the expediency of leaving him lest he should become too weary, he continued: "Miss Johnson, you don't know how much I love Adah Hastings; not as men generally love," he hastily added, as he caught an expression of surprise on Alice's face, "not as that villain professed to love her, but, as it seems to me, a brother might love an only sister.

I mean no disrespect to 'Lina," and his chin quivered a little, "but I have dreamed of a different, brotherly love from what I feel toward her, and my heart has beaten so fast when I built castles of what might have been had we both been different, I, more forbearing, more even tempered, more like the world in general, and she, more--more"-- he knew not what, for he would not speak against her, so he finally added, "had she known, just how to take me--just how to make allowances for my rough, uncouth ways, which, of course, annoy her." Poor Hugh! he was trying now to smooth over what 'Lina had told Alice of himself--trying to apologize for them both, and he did it so skillfully, that Alice felt an increased respect for the man whose real character she had so misunderstood.

She, knew, however, that it could not be pleasant for him to speak of 'Lina, and so she led him back to Adah by saying: "I had thought to talk with you of a plan which Mrs.Hastings has in view, but think, perhaps, I had better wait till you are stronger." "I am strong enough now--stronger than you think.

Tell me of the plan," and Hugh urged the request until Alice told him of Terrace Hill and Adah's wish to go there.
"I have heard something of this plan before," he said at last.