He has now been ten months absent. We have written to him
again and again, but have received no reply.' As she concluded, Mrs.
Leighton burst into a flood of tears, which, for some time, she was
unable to check. You may believe me, Clara, when I tell you that you are
happier today, while attending to the duties of your school, than is
Mrs. Leighton, in her luxurious home."
Such was, in substance, the information which Mrs. Harringford's letter
afforded me. I almost regretted having sought the information, for it
made me very unhappy. It grieved me much to learn that Willie was
self-exiled from his home and friends.
CHAPTER XVI.
MISS SIMMONDS' STORY.
The fifteenth of September found me again installed in my position as
teacher in my school at Mill Town. I still continued to board in the
family of Parson Northwood. I retained all my former pupils, with the
addition of several new ones.
Miss Simmonds had often invited me to pay her a visit in her home at
Littleton, but I had as yet found no convenient opportunity for so
doing. One Friday evening I decided to pay the long promised visit, and
remain over the Sabbath with Miss Simmonds. She seemed very glad to see
me, and gave me a friendly welcome to her humble home.
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