she was in no wise averse to consider him
her friend.

"But you may depend upon it," said Mrs. Fabens to her husband,
seriously--"depend upon it, he is not so particular and loud, in
calling you 'Squire' for nothing; and it cannot be always a mistake,
when he says 'Judge Fabens;' nor does he consult your opinion on so
many things, because the opinion has the value of a straw in his
estimation. He may never injure you, and I will not fear that he can;
but it will be well to reserve a little confidence till he is better
known, and not be too quickly carried away with him."

But Fabens was still confident that Fairbanks was honorable and worthy
of respect and trust; he was often at his store; he often relied on his
integrity for important considerations; and he was well assured that he
was a man of merit and justice, and entitled to his enviable name. And
so marked was his confidence, it had induced Fairbanks to come without
hesitation again to buy all the wheat he could sell, and ask to have
credit till January. He offered a fairer price than Fabens had hoped
to obtain that season, and he engaged it on the desired time.

Fairbanks was unusually social and winning that afternoon, when he
found them rising from the lunch in the field; and he conversed freely
and pleasantly with Mrs. Fabens and her daughter, as they departed for
the house; and then turned to Fabens and conversed a long while, saying
at last--"That is your _only daughter_, I believe, Judge?"

"Yes, and only child, now, I suppose, that we have on earth," answered
Fabens.

"You may think I am too free, comparative stranger as I am, in my
conversation with her," said Fairbanks.

"O, no; I like to see folks familiar and friendly. Familiarity is the
life of company, while stiffness and formality give it a chill which is
quite disagreeable to me," said Fabens.

"Perhaps I should not be so familiar to her; but she reminds me so much
of a dear sister of mine on the Hudson, that I feel attracted towards
her; and it seemed every moment as if my sister was going to speak to
me. She is a good sister, too, and quite intelligent, if I am her
brother; and I think I have a right to say it. And there is that same
trembling modesty, that same blushing innocence and blooming beauty, to
remind me of my sister; and had her hair been a shade or two darker,
and her teeth not so ivory white; I believe I should have forgotten I
was talking to a stranger. You will pard