three hours, and on his return
announced his intention of going to Boston in the afternoon train. No
one opposed him, for all were glad to have him go.

Just before he left, grandmother, who knew all was not right, said to
him: "Young man, I wish you well; but mind what I say, you'll get your
pay yet for the capers you've cut here."

"I beg your pardon, madam," he returned, with much more emphasis on
_madam_ than was at all necessary, "I beg your pardon, but I think she
has cut the capers; at least she dismissed me of her own accord."

I thought of what I had heard, but 'twas a secret, so I kept it
safely, although I almost bit my tongue off in my zealous efforts.
After Ashmore was gone, Emma, who had taken a violent cold the evening
before, took her bed, and was slightly ill for nearly a week. Almost
every day Mr. Evelyn called to see how she was, always bringing her a
fresh bouquet of flowers. On Thursday, Carrie called, bringing Emma
some ice-cream which Aunt Eunice had made. She did not ask to see her,
but before she left she asked Anna if she did not wish to buy her old
piano.

"What will you do without it?" asked Anna.

"Oh," said Carrie, "I cannot use two. I have got a new one."

The stocking dropped from grandmother's hand as she exclaimed: "What
is the world a-comin' to! Got two pianners! Where'd you get 'em?"

"My new one was a present, and came from Boston," answered Carrie,
with the utmost _sang froid_.

"You don't say Ashmore sent it to you! How much did it cost?" asked
grandma.

"Mr. Ashmore wrote that it cost three hundred and fifty dollars," was
Carrie's reply.

Grandmother was perfectly horror-stricken; but desirous of making
Carrie feel as comfortable as possible, she said, "S'posin somebody
should tell him about Penoyer?"

For an instant Carrie turned pale, as she said quickly, "What does any
one know about him to tell?"

"A great deal--more than you think they do--yes, a great deal," was
grandma's answer.

After that Carrie came _very_ frequently to see us, always bringing
something nice for Emma _or grandma_!

Meanwhile Mr. Evelyn's visits continued, and when at last Emma could
see him I was sure that she received him more kindly than she ever had
before. "That'll go yet," was grandma's prediction. But her scheming
was cut short by a letter from Emma's father, requesting her immediate
return. Mr. Evelyn, who found he had business which required his
presence in Worcester, was to a