ies were about leaving, I was
greatly shocked to see Mr. Ashmore offer to accompany Carrie and Agnes
home.

After they were gone grandmother said, "Emma, if I's you, I'd put a
stop to that chap's flirtin' so with Car'line Howard."

Emma laughed gaily as she replied, "Oh, grandma, I can trust Harley;
I have been sick so long that he has the privilege of walking or
riding with anybody he pleases."

Grandmother shook her head, saying, "It wasn't so with her and our
poor grandfather;" then I fell into a fit of musing as to whether
grandma was ever young, and if she ever fixed her hair before the
glass, as Anna did when she expected the doctor! In the midst of my
reverie Mr. Ashmore returned, and for the remainder of the evening
devoted himself so entirely to Emma that I forgave him for going home
with Carrie. Next day, however, he found the walk to Captain Howard's
a very convenient one, staying a long time, too. The next day it was
the same, and the next, and the next, until I fancied that even Emma
began to be anxious.

Grandma was highly indignant, and Sally declared, "that, as true as
she lived and breathed, if Mike should serve her so, he'd catch it."
About this time Agnes went home. The evening before she left she spent
at our house with Emma, of whom she seemed to be very fond. Carrie and
Ashmore were, as usual, out riding or walking, and the conversation
naturally turned upon them. At last, Anna, whose curiosity was still
on the alert to know something of Penoyer, asked Agnes of him. I will
repeat, in substance, what Agnes said.

It seems that for many years Penoyer had been a teacher of music in
Albany. Agnes was one of his pupils, and while teaching her music he
thought proper to fall overwhelmingly in love with her. This for a
time she did not notice; but when his attentions became so pointed as
to become a subject of remark, she very coolly tried to make him
understand his position. He persevered, however, until he became
exceedingly impudent and annoying.

About this time there came well-authenticated stories of his being not
only a professed gambler, but also very dissipated in his habits. To
this last charge Agnes could testify, as his breath had frequently
betrayed him. He was accordingly dismissed. Still he perseveringly
pursued her, always managing, if possible, to get near her in all
public places, and troubling her in various ways.

At last Agnes heard that he was showing among her acquaintances