ther friends, since I was to leave so
soon, and it pleased me to fancy that she was not altogether
offended when I spoke somewhat hastily and rather flippantly of
those of my former companions who had lapsed into tediousness. I
reminded her also that as the happiest memory of my childhood was
associated with her mother, so it was sweet to me to be with her
and live again, in a pleasant dream, the brightness of the past.
Then, for her mother's sake, she shyly let me take her hand while
I went over again, not without emotion, the story of my early
love. Dear little Sylvia!

The meeting of the committee was followed by a general
congregation of citizens, and I was invited to the platform,
where I outlined my plans. I hinted that the library was merely
the beginning of a number of beneficences which I desired to
contribute to Meadowvale's prosperity, and as I looked down upon
my listeners and caught sight of Phyllis, glancing up with
flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, I was nearly betrayed into
promises of the most preposterous nature. At the end of
my remarks--I recall that I spoke with unusual grace and
eloquence--the chairman stood up and gravely thanked me,
intimating that I was a credit to Meadowvale and its perfect
public school system. I fancy I should have been applauded if it
had been compatible with the nature of the people of Meadowvale
to make so riotous a demonstration. At the close of the meeting
it happened, by the purest accident, that I walked home with Mary
and Phyllis, and when Mary said in her blunt way that I really
had been most generous, Phyllis did not speak, but she slipped
her hand under my arm and gave me an appreciative little squeeze,
which made me regret that I had not pledged another thousand.

I was to leave the next morning, thanks to the officious members
of the committee, who had so blunderingly hurried matters to
accommodate me that I had no longer an excuse of remaining. And
it was for this reason that I went in and sat again in the little
parlor, while Phyllis sang for me the songs that were my
favorites, and some her mother sang in the long ago. Memories
were again pleasantly stirred within me, as was not infrequent in
those days, and I experienced all the happiness that comes to him
who is persuaded that he has made himself a little above the
ordinary attractions of the earth. In this excess of good
feeling, and stimulated alike by the music and the consciousness
of a philanthrop