She looked surprised.
"Yes," she answered, faintly.
"I am going to tell you something which must be kept secret for awhile. Can you bear good news? Frank is alive!"
"Alive!" exclaimed the mother, jumping from her chair, and fixing her eyes imploringly, almost incredulously, on her visitor.
"Yes. Don't be agitated, Mrs. Craven. I have received a letter from him."
"Is it true? Oh, tell me quickly. Didn't he fall over the precipice?"
"Yes, he fell, but it was on a soft spot, and he was saved."
"Heaven be praised! Bless you for bringing such news. Tell me all about it."
Ben told the story in a few words, and then showed the letter. How it eased and comforted the poor mother's heart I need not say. She felt as if life had been restored to her once more.