Year: 1876

might masquerade. The more he con
sidered it the moro feasible 1t seemed,
and at last he arranged plan to suit his
purposes.


First, no human being was to be ac-
quairted with the proposed adventure :;
second, his attorney was to have exclu-
sive power during his absence, so that he
would neither need to read or write a


business letter during the summon. The


attorney was not very pleasant man,
but he was thoroughly honest. His busi-
ness must have brought him good in
come ; but he was always in trouble about
his own money matters, while The affairs
of his clients were kept in the most sys-
tematic manner.


When this was settled, Fcatherby
wrote his friends that he was going on
a journey cup North !" drew thous-
and dollars out OF the bank, packed
very modest trunk with very modest
wardrobe, stuck his sketch book and
colors in a corner of the trunk, and
bought II ticket to Albany. From AL
baty his route was not yet determined
He consulted guide books and maps,
and finally decided ho would go into
the country. No sooner said than he
was on his way to tho interior of the
State. Stopping at II central point he
mapped out another route, and three
days afterwards he was sitting in the
hotel in the village Of Newhall, and
congratuating himself that he had So
lected a place where none of his friends
could molest him.


The arrival of stranger in Newhall
was matter of but little consequence
to the good people of the village. They
made good butter and cheese and pros
pered, aud they had small Curiosity as
to what a strange gentleman at the no
tel might be doing Herein they showed
their Dutch hOod as we'll as their good
commmon sense.


Tbo sense of being FREQ to do as he
pleased, go where he pleased, and not be
hampered by prying eyes, was very
pleasant to Featherby. lie ohatted


with the farmers, chatted with their


wives, gave pictures to tho children,
and was welcomed by them when he
came around. II any of them had amy
curiosity as to him or his business, the
sketch book under his arm would have
solved it i; but it is doubtful if they
cared as to his purpose.


The Summer opened with joyousnes'
such as only the country Summer pos
ses-es, and Featherby began to feel
thoroughly at homo in Nowhall. The
minister invited bim 90 take tea with
him, the doctor had asked him 70 call
at his office when he felt like smoking
cigar, the blacksmith was always glad
to see him coming into his shop, and
the young people seemed pleased when
he joined their picnics.


The young ladies Of Newhal were
such ms only the country towns Of the
North can show. Though born in the
country, daughters Of farmers, yet each
had been taught in the best schools In
the State, and they had brought back
to their country homes ease Of manners
and grace Of carriage that was fully
equal to their sisters IN the large cities.
And their graces were peculiarly becom-
ing as they were toned down by the
realities of country life. Featherby de-
clared to himself the second Sunday he
attended the village church, that he had
never met so many charming girls
And he farther declared that he was
going to become acquainted with them.
Gaining their acquaintance was not
difficult matter. They were not bold,
neither were they unduly shy and when
he accompanied DR.. Folds to picnic
some two weeks later, he was very nat
urally introduced to nearly all the pretty
girls of the village.


He had a very pleasant day. Smok
ing cigar at the open window of his
room late in the evening, he declared to
himself that it had been the pcasantest
day he had known since he was a boy.
IIe congratulated himself upon his good
sense in having thought Of this mas
querade, and wondered how men could
linger among the affected girls of the
cities, when there were such charming
flowers Of womanhood in the country.
And how pleasant the young ladies had
been | Miss Manley was evidently the
belle Of the place, and she was very
pretty but Miss Vernoy was well, if
not quite so pretty, little more inter
esting. lie had had very pleasant walk
with Miss Verney. She had just the
color Of hair he most admi red golden,
tinged with red. She looked a little
wearied. No wonder some one said she
was the school teacher. Pretty hard work
for delicate woman, he said, and then
he threw his cigar away and went TO bed.


As soon as he awoke in the morning he
began TO laugh aloud. His dreams had
been absurdly real, and through most Of
them he had figured now with Miss
now with Miss Verney. His
system must be out Of order, he declared,
still laughing heartily, and walk he
fore breakfast would set him right. From
the hotel towards the river was the pret-
TEST street in Newhall. Great elms
dropped gracefully across the road and
made royal canopy. Featherby start
ed down the street at moderate pace,
until he saw lady sauntering Shead OF
him. He thought he knew her, and a
few minutes of energetic stepping brought
him beside her.


d" All, good morning, Miss Verney
do you, too, require morning walks ?"


Not often" said she blushing, "for |
find enough exercise during the dayj but