-tale of a railroad scheme. You would not enjoy it," answered the
young man disappointedly. He saw in Marcia a beautiful young soul, the
only one who had really attracted him since he had left New York, and he
wished to become intimate enough with her to enjoy himself.

It mattered not to him that she was married to another man. He felt secure
in his own attractions. He had ever been able to while away the time with
whom he chose, why should a simple village maiden resist him? And this was
an unusual one, the contour of her head was like a Greek statue.

Nevertheless he was obliged to stroll after her. Once she had spoken. She
had suddenly become aware that they had been in their corner together a
long time, and that Aunt Amelia's cold eyes were fastened upon her in
disapproval.

"The farmers would be ruined, man alive!" Mr. Heath was saying. "Why, all
the horses would have to be killed, because they would be wholly useless
if this new fandango came in, and then where would be a market for the
wheat and oats?"

"Yes, an' I've heard some say the hens wouldn't lay, on account of the
noise," ventured Lemuel Skinner in his high voice. "And think of the fires
from the sparks of the engine. I tell you it would be dangerous." He
looked over at Hannah triumphantly, but Hannah was endeavoring to signal
Harry Temple to her side and did not see nor hear.

"I tell you," put in Mr. Heath's heavy voice again, "I tell you, Dave, it
can't be done. It's impractical. Why, no car could advance against the
wind."

"They told Columbus he couldn't sail around the earth, but he did it!"

There was sudden stillness in the room, for it was Marcia's clear, grave
voice that had answered Mr. Heath's excited tones, and she had not known
she was going to speak aloud. It came before she realized it. She had been
used to speak her mind sometimes with her father, but seldom when there
were others by, and now she was covered with confusion to think what she
had done. The aunts, Amelia and Hortense, were shocked. It was so
unladylike. A woman should not speak on such subjects. She should be
silent and leave such topics to her husband.

"Deah me, she's strong minded, isn't she?" giggled Hannah Heath to Lemuel,
who had taken the signals to himself and come to her side.

"Quite so, quite so!" murmured Lemuel, his lips looking puffier and more
cherry-fied than ever and his chin flattened itself back till he looked
like a frustrated old hen who did n