BE TRUE. 75

“Dear Helen!” exclaimed Mrs. El-
more, “if I had but answered your
Jast letter,’ and drawing one from
the package, she read—

«My Dear Lavra,—Once more |
entreat you to bear with and forgive
your cousin Helen—forgive me if I
have been too harsh in my expres
sions of truth; for truth it is, dear
Laura, and to gain the friendship of
a world I could say no less. Think,
my dearest cousin, of our long and
sisterly intimacy, our pure, devoted
friendship, which until now has
never been interrupted by the unfor-
tunate bluntness of your friend. We
have shared each other’s sorrows,
Laura, when poor Caroline, discard-
ed by her father, left her home and
kindred for a stranger’s love: how