s. Gilbert, looking up from her sewing.

"You do, ma'am," said the old man. "I ain't been so well taken care of
for years as I am now. I wish I could do something to show my
gratitude."

"The money you pay us is of great service. It makes the largest part of
our income. I am only afraid you pay too much."

"No, I don't," said Uncle Obed. "Money isn't of much vally, compared
with a good home. If I ain't as rich as my niece, I can afford to pay
fair board. When a man's turned seventy, as I have, the best money can
do for him is to give him a happy home."

Mrs. Gilbert and Harry were pleased to find their boarder so contented.
The money he paid weekly, with unvarying punctuality, made things easy
for the widow, and relieved her of the anxiety which she had constantly
felt before his arrival.

The conversation above recorded was scarcely over, when a knock was
heard at the front door--a sharp, peremptory knock--as of one who
demanded admittance, rather than requested it.

All looked up, with some surprise, for it was now eight o'clock, and
they did not often have evening callers.

"I will go to the door, mother," said Harry. "You need not interrupt
your sewing."

So Harry opened the outer door, and, considerably to his surprise, saw
standing on the step the dignified figure of Colonel Ross.

"Colonel Ross!" he exclaimed, in surprise.

"I will come in a few minutes," said the Colonel, stiffly.

"Certainly, sir. Excuse my not inviting you."

"It is very excusable--under the circumstances," said the Colonel,
stiffly.

"What does he mean?" thought Harry. "I can't tell what circumstances he
refers to."

"Mother," said he, opening the door of the sitting-room, "here is
Colonel Ross."

"Take a seat, Colonel Ross," said the widow, politely.

Colonel Ross seated himself deliberately in a chair near his wife's
uncle.

"Glad to see you, Mr. Ross," said Uncle Obed, thinking the visit was
meant for him. "You're very kind to look in on an old man."

"I--well, my visit this evening has a different object."

"Oh, come to see Mrs. Gilbert! Well, how's Lucinda?"

"Mrs. Ross is enjoying her usual health," said Colonel Ross,
ceremoniously.

"Glad to hear it," said the old man. "She hasn't called on me yet,
though I'm the only relation she's got within a thousand miles."

"Mrs. Ross is very much occupied," said her husband, coldly. "However,
you will excuse me if I proceed to the object of my visit. I regret to
say