Year: 1871

were really such tremendous attractive
and delightful fellow that people couldn't
resist him. Being no fool, and quite up to
the tricks of the world, he also wondered
if all these people had little land which
they wanted surveyed for nothing.


81 should be happy to have you come up
and see my place, Mr.. Jones'" the squire
continued. "It will not seem imposing to
you, who are accustomed to metropolitan
residences, but you may find it pleasant.


1t is at least, homclile, and we shall be
most happy to see you there. l speak for
my wife and daughters, as well rs for my
| self"


The young mans acknowledgements of
this generous hospitality were somewhat
interrupted by Miss Richmond, who rose
with an air bordering on impatience, step
ped on to the piazza through the long Win
dow, and walked Oft down the garden path.
Fred waited, and made himself agreeable
to the company, hoping that she would
come back, but she did not. After while
he saw her come in through the hall, and
go up stairs.


After that the conversation lost interest
for him, and he got rid of his company with
none too much ceremony, and went up to
his room. lie had vague idea that he had
made countless engagements with the
squire, that he was to drive, dine and walk
with him, that gardens, orchards and con-
servatories were at his disposal but all
that slipped out of his mind when he heard
a soft voice singing lowiy across the pas
sage. Holding his breath he listened to
the dreamy melody and even set his door
an inch aiar to hear the better. Presently
the old lady came up and went into Miss
Richmond's room, leaving the door open.


"It is so hot p she painted. "Wc must
have the draft. Bring Il chair, Clara, and
put it SO the door wont fly open. We can
| leave it so all night in this patriarchal
place" "But aunt" the young lady re-
piled, "that Mr. Jones room is opposite"


The tone Of disdain in which "that Mr..
Jones" was mentioned made Fred's blood
boil. IIo got up with firm step and
banged the door to- and then was sorry for
it the next minute. cit will Just show
that I overheard conversation that was
not intended for me- he thought.


He sat awhile considering, trying not to
feel mortified at the tone taken by Miss
Richmond, and wondering at himself for
caring about it. Then he started up with
u laugh and prepared to go to bed. "Iwill
go about my business, just as l meant TO
when came" he muttered. "And il
people want to lionizo me- they can. I will
! pay 10 attention TO either"


Then, with good conscience and a firm
resolve he went to sleep, and never woke
till the bell rang in the morning.


For wcel; Fred lived in clover. lie was
bat Squire Seyern'a every day. lie dined
there, took tea there, spent the evening
there went to ride with the daughters
three gay, flirting girls, who made eyes al
him outrageously, aud was pattcd on the
shoulder by papa and on the arm by mann
ma. If he wanted to visit some particu-
lar spot in the neighborhood, made a pic
mic there. If he preferred to lounge, some
one of them read or played to him. There
! were moonlight rambles, in which he was
nearly always allowed an excellent Opportu-
nifty to talk sentiment to one or otherof the
young ladies' He found himself rather
bcsct, indeed, and had to defend his heart
and hand with great caution. Still it was
| pleasant. The only blot on his enjoyment
was the constant presence and as constant
colduoss Of Miss Richmond. She WAS an
old friend OF the Severns, and spent a
! great deal OF time with them.


All this time Fred noticed several things
! that seemed to him rather odd in the con-
yersation of the people he met, If he men
| toned word about his business, they
stared as if they didn't know what he
meant, aud they frequently alluded to his
visiting that humble locality, as if it were
wonderful that he could content himself
there, when so many gayer attractions
%oood him elsewhere. He carefully held
his tongue after the first intimation of these
mysteri es, and waited to see what would
happen.


. 1t seems TO me SO odd that you have
never been v Europe, Mr.. Jones'" Miss
Sevens said. 81 should have supposed
you had been there certainly once, perhaps
more" And she gazed at him with an adj
miring smile, as if she thought him quite
worthy Of having a steamer always at
his disposal for going to any part of the
world he might fancy to see.


% What nm earth ehou1d mnIfa hor xvou
der at it y he thought but he only said,