. The Dorcas club; or, Our girls afloat. you not to repeat one word I say,or even hint at it. 264 THE DOECAS CLUB. Then there is something wrong. I tliink not; at least, I hope not. You hope not ? I believe not; but I dont know much aboutit. You must keep still, at least for a day ortwo, or until you or I know more about it. Certainly we can do nothing to injure poorfather, if he is still living, said Mollie, wroughtup to the highest pitch of anxiety. Mr. Longimore is still alive, added Prince. Where is he ? gasped the wife. O, Prince ! groaned Mollie. I dont know that I ought to tell even you
. The Dorcas club; or, Our girls afloat. you not to repeat one word I say,or even hint at it. 264 THE DOECAS CLUB. Then there is something wrong. I tliink not; at least, I hope not. You hope not ? I believe not; but I dont know much aboutit. You must keep still, at least for a day ortwo, or until you or I know more about it. Certainly we can do nothing to injure poorfather, if he is still living, said Mollie, wroughtup to the highest pitch of anxiety. Mr. Longimore is still alive, added Prince. Where is he ? gasped the wife. O, Prince ! groaned Mollie. I dont know that I ought to tell even you?where he is ; but I shall see him to-night,replied Prince in a whisper, as he glanced atthe windows. Can it be true ? You may depend upon it, added the mes-senger of Simon Potter, as he took from hiswallet the dirty slip of paper. Be calm, now ;for if we make the slightest mistake, Mr. Longi-more may not long be alive. With a struggle the mother and daughter,awed by these fearfid words, regained in somedegree their THE DORCAS CLUB. 265 We must all be very prudent, continuedPrince. Are you calm enough to read a linefrom him ? O, yes ! Give it to me ! The brief note was given to Mrs. Longimore,and panting with emotion, she read it to her-self. What is it, mother? Read it I criedMoUie. Mrs. Longimore, with faltering utterance, readthe note, as follows:— My dear Wife and Children: I amstill alive, but I am suffering- what no words cantell. I am guilty of no crime, though every-thing is against me. Help me, by your silence,to prove my innocence. I could not live anotherday without telling- you I am not a felon. SendPrince to me, for he may be able to save me. R. L. The mother and daughter wept together; andfor some time Prince respected their silence,hardly able to restrain his own tears. You are satisfied now — are you ? he asked,at last. I am. Prince ; it seems like a dream,replied the poor wife. 266 THE DORCAS CLUB. Thats fathers writing-, certainly, addedM
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