e business to Tom Casey, and was as happy as a lord in his new
home. The executors paid Maggie's share of her father's estate to
Andre, in accordance with the provisions of the will. The ex-barber was
not a business man; but this fact rendered him all the more cautious in
handling the property intrusted to his care. He had shaved men of
dignity and substance for so many years, that he had no lack of
friendly advisers. With fear and trembling he discharged his sacred
duty.

But Andre's duties as guardian were abruptly terminated one day, before
Maggie was twenty-one. A remarkably good-looking young lawyer, Mr.
Charles Harding, the partner of an older legal gentleman who had done
Andre's business, relieved him of his charge by marrying his ward.
Everybody said he was a splendid fellow, and Maggie knew he was. No one
seemed to be astonished except Leo, who thought the affair had come off
rather suddenly. He did not exactly understand how Maggie could have
fallen in love with any fellow--he never thought of such things.

"So Maggie is married," said Mr. Fitz Wittleworth one day, when they
met in the street.

"Yes; and a capital fellow Harding is, too," replied Leo, warmly.

"It was rather sudden--wasn't it?"

"Well, it was rather sudden; but when I think what a beautiful girl
Maggie was, and when I think what a good girl she was, I am not at all
surprised--not a bit."

"But, Leo, I always thought you would marry Maggie," added Mr.
Wittleworth, stroking his chin.

"I!" exclaimed Leo, opening his eyes. "Why, I never thought of such a
thing."

"The more fool you, when you could have done it."

"What, marry my sister!"

"She isn't your sister, any more than I am."

"Well, it's all the same thing, and I could never look upon her as
anything but a sister," replied Leo, as he hastened to his work.

Leo was satisfied; for he could still love Mrs. Harding as a sister;
and he had certainly never thought of her in any other relation.
Perhaps he did not think of anything at that time but machines and
machinery. Both he and Andre remained with Mrs. Harding, for she would
not consent to their leaving her. And her husband liked them because
she did.

When Leo was twenty-five, his inventive genius had laid the foundation
of his fortune, and his "royalties" soon made him independent, for he
had the business ability to profit by his inventions. When he was
married, the "strange family" was separated, but never in spirit. And