ow I've been feeling, ever since you went away. It seemed to me
that there was a big weight resting on my breast."

Redbud colored, and laughed.

"Sometimes," said Verty, smiling, "I would try and get it away by
drawing in my breath, and ever so long; but I could'nt," he added,
shaking his head; "I don't know what it means."

Mr. Jinks, who was dusting his rosetted shoes with a white pocket
handkerchief, grimaced at this.

"Well, well," Verty went on, "I begin to feel better now, since I've
seen you; and, I think, I'll do better in my office work."

"Office work?" asked Redbud, beginning to grow more like her former
self.

"Oh, yes!" Verty replied; "I'm in Mr. Rushton's office now, and I'm a
lawyer's clerk;--that's what they call it, I believe."

Redbud returned his bright smile. Her eye wandered toward Cloud, who
stood perfectly still--the turkey, which had not been removed, yet
dangling at his saddle-bow.

Verty followed the young girl's glance, and smiled.

"I know what you are looking at," he said; "you are looking at that
wild turkey, and thinking that I am a poor sort of a lawyer, with such
a book to read out of. But I shot him coming along."

Redbud laughed; her coolness could not last in Verty's presence; his
fresh voice, so full of their old happy times, made her a child again.

"And how did you find me'?" she said, in her old tone.

"By your pigeon!"

"My pigeon?

"Yes, indeed; I shot him."

"You shot him, Verty?"

Verty experienced,--he knew not why,--a feeling of extreme delight, on
hearing his name from her lips.

"Yes, I did so, Redbud," he replied, confidentially, "and I cured him,
too. Look at him, up there on the roof, coo-cooing! He was sailing
over the town, and I sent an arrow after him, and brought him straight
down."

"Oh, Verty! how cruel!"

"I never would 'a shot him if I had seen the name on his neck."

"The name--yes--"

"Yours, Redbud. There was a piece of paper, and on it--but here's the
paper."

And Verty took from his bosom the yellow scroll, and placed it in
Redbud's hand.

She took it, smiling, and read the words--"I am Miss Redbud's pigeon,
and Fanny gave me to her."

"Oh, yes," she said, "and I am glad he's come back; poor fellow, I
hav'nt seen him for days!"

"I had him," said Verty.

"At home?"

"Yes."

"Curing him?"

Verty nodded.

"You know that was what I wanted. I cured him, and then let him go,
and followed him, and found you."

Verty