th the joy, and whiskin' him off to the best doctor
in the county. Poor lamb! he scarce slept a wink last night, with the
pain in his hip, and oughtn't to be out here to-day."

And the next morning Jem was missing, his sister coming to fill his
place, and, with her ready Irish wit, parrying all the boys' jokes on
"the first girl comber of Monmouth." But from that time the interest in
the beach-combing flagged, and the work soon came to an end.

One afternoon, not long after, a youth, conspicuously conscious of his
Sunday clothes and stiff collar, rang the bell of a handsome New York
residence, the shining door-plate of which bore the name, "J. C. Landon,
M.D." He was admitted by a supercilious colored boy in buttons, who,
ushering him into a luxuriantly furnished office, told him to "Wait, the
doctor was engaged at present." And he did wait a full half-hour before
the physician emerged from an inner apartment, accompanied by a lady who
gently supported a young girl, richly attired, and with long fair hair
floating on her shoulders, but who limped painfully, and in whose sweet
face was an expression of suffering that somehow reminded Kit--for Kit
it was--of Jem Ferguson.

"Yes, yes, Mrs. Graham," Dr. Landon was saying. "I see no reason why
Miss Ethel should not walk without crutches in time. Science works
wonders nowadays. She would get on faster if you could consent to let
her go to my sanitarium, but since you are unwilling, I will visit her
often and do the best I am able; while I can at least promise that there
will soon be no more of the neuralgia that causes such excruciating
agony." With which he bowed his visitors out, and, returning, asked
briskly, "Well, my lad, what can I do for you? You don't look like an
invalid."

"No, sir; I'm pretty hearty," responded Kit, with a grin. "I came
because--because I have found this," and without further words he
produced a small box and opened it.

"My wife's lost earring! Why, she will be overjoyed!" exclaimed the
physician. "But I shall have to turn you over to her, as I am due at the
hospital, and haven't a moment to spare. Here, Nero, ask Mrs. Landon to
step down to the office." And without more ado the busy man hurried off,
leaving the confused and stammering Kit to the tender mercies of the
mistress of the mansion.

But these proved very delightful, for not only did the lady shower him
with graceful thanks, but ordered up a dainty little collation for his
refresh