missus gone--clean gone."

"Come on, Morris," said Lester. "Eunice says her mistress is spirited
away. Let's dive into the mystery and see what we can bring to light."

Wayland followed Lester up the hall stairs, wondering what this strange
disturbance might import. They traversed the passage to Miss Mary's
apartment, when, sure enough, as Eunice had affirmed, they found the
door wide open, and, to appearance, no person had occupied the room the
previous night. Lester's quick eye instantly marked, what the servant in
her fright had failed to notice, the absence of two large trunks that
used to stand beside the bed, and the _presence_ of a small folded
billet on the dressing-table. He advanced with a hasty step, broke the
seal, and read.

"Ha, ha!" laughed he, as he run over the contents. "Eunice, go below and
light the fires."

The woman hastened away.

"Romance at thirty-seven! elopement extraordinary, Wayland!" he
continued. "Miss Mary Lester has become in due form Mrs. Col. Edmunds,
and 'fled,' as she expresses it--(now where was the use in _flying_, for
who would have objected to the marriage? But then 'twas romantic, of
course)--to the wilds of Texas; there to enjoy the sweets of domestic
felicity with her adored husband; to which fair land she hopes I'll some
day come to visit her, when I have regained possession of my senses, and
learnt the difference 'twixt canary-birds and wild-cats."

Wayland listened with amazement depicted on his features.

"Strange; all wonder, isn't it, Morris?" pursued Lester. "Let's go below
and discuss the matter."

The gentlemen descended to the parlor, where Aunt Eunice soon presented
herself, and, with rueful countenance, said:

"Please, massa, who is to pour the coffee this morning? Missus gone, you
know."

"Well, Eunice, suppose you run up stairs, and ask Miss Winnie if she
will not condescend to perform that office this morning, as we find
ourselves so suddenly bereft of a housekeeper?" said Lester, in a
mock-serious tone.

Winnie of course assented, and passed into the breakfast-room, where she
found her brother and Lester already seated at the table.

"Good-morning, Miss Morris," said the latter. "A romance, such as we
read of in old knights' tales, was enacted in our house last night, in
consequence of which a forlorn bachelor has to ask of you the favor to
preside at his desolate board this morning."

"I shall be pleased to serve you," returned Winnie, assuming