OR, CLARENCE MORTIMER. 65

 

«J do not know why I should object to
confide in one who has been so very kind to
me. Itisa proof of your goodness that you
would care to listen to my story. I was
born in England, ma’am, and my childhood
“was a very happy one. My parents were
not rich, but they were industrious, and in
very comfortable circumstances. Being an
only child, I enjoyed advantages ‘which I
could not have expected otherwise. I was
naturally of a delicate constitution, so I was
spared any great amount of care, and I re-
ceived a good common education.

‘© «My father was an earnest Christian,
and at a very early age I became interested
in religion. My parents were quite proud
of me, for I was considered a pretty girl,
and was quite a favorite with our neigh-

bors. —