her.

It was Browning's turn now to tremble and perspire. "Bless my soul, Jim!"
said he, "no drift on the Comstock was ever half so hot as this, never,
by Jove!"

They were admitted and shown to the parlor. Browning asked for Mrs. and
Miss Hamlin, and bade the servant say some friends desired to see them.

Who can picture the joy that followed the coming of those ladies into the
room! It is better to imagine it.

After an hour had passed, and the tears had dried, and the tremblings
ceased a little, Browning's sister drew him a little aside and asked him
why he did not inquire about some one else.

"Because," said he, "I dare not."

"Well," said the dear girl, "she is due here even now. If you will go
into the library I will meet her, tell her mother has a caller, and
propose that we go to the library. When we get there I will lose myself
for your sake, and, like the famous witches, 'dissolve into thin air.'"

"She is not married?" asked Browning.

"No," replied his sister.

"Heart whole?" Browning queried.

"How should I know?" answered his sister; "but there is the door-bell.
Hurry Jack! This way to the library!"

Rose Jenvie came in. Grace met and greeted her in the hall.

"Why, Grace," said Rose, "you have been crying. What is wrong, dear?"

"Nothing is wrong," said Grace, "nothing at all, and I have not been
crying." And all the time the tears were running down her cheeks.

"Why," exclaimed Rose, "what in the world is the matter? What has so
upset you this morning?"

"I tell you, nothing," answered Grace. "Mamma has a caller in the parlor;
let us go to the library."

Reaching the door, Grace opened it for Rose, and then said, pettishly,
"There! I have forgotten a letter I wish to show you; go in, and I will
be back directly."

Rose naturally walked in, when Grace closed the door behind her, turned
the key noiselessly and fled.

The curtains were half drawn, the day was cloudy, and Rose advanced two
or three steps into the room before she discovered another occupant.
That occupant rose as she stopped. She saw a manly fellow with hair cut
short and full mustache. He saw a woman a little above the medium height,
with hazel eyes, full and proud, a fair, clear-cut face, a slight but
perfectly developed form, and the face wore a look which it seemed to him
was sad, despite its beauty, as though some thought within made a shadow
on the fair young life.

The young man gazed a moment, then raising and