APPENDIX.
Perhaps some apology to the reader is necessary in view of
our failure to find Laura's father. We supposed, from the
ease with which lost persons are found in novels, that it
would not be difficult. But it was; indeed, it was impossible;
and therefore the portions of the narrative containing the
record of the search have been stricken out. Not because
they were not interesting—for they were; but inasmuch as
the man was not found, after all, it did not seem wise to
harass and excite the reader to no purpose.
The Authors.
