irascible customers, preparatory to closing, "C" once more called. With
a devout hope that he was not going to be annoying, Nattie answered.

"Notwithstanding the late coolness between us, which was not my fault,
and for which I cannot account" he began, and then some one with a rush
message broke in.

"What is he coming at now I wonder--he commenced with a great display of
words," thought Nattie curiously; and then with a little curl of her
lip, "a sentence out of some book, I suppose."

But as soon as the wire was quiet she said,

"To 'C' Please g a--account"

"I could not leave, as I am about to do to-night, without saying
good-by, in remembrance of our former pleasant intercourse," concluded
"C."

"You mean you are leaving permanently?" queried Nattie, surprised.

"Yes, this is my last day here. Monday I leave town; and so, with much
regret that anything unpleasant should have interrupted our
acquaintance--although what it was I assure you I do not know, since you
deign me no explanation--I will say, not as I would once, _au revoir_, but
good-by."

"Good-by," answered Nattie, forgetting for the moment everything but
"C," the old "C," the "C" who had enlivened so many hours, and about
whom had dwelt that romantic mystery. "Good-by. Believe me, I shall
always remember the many social talks we have enjoyed."

"Possibly we might enjoy them again, if you desired," "C" said then, as
if he gave her a chance for explanation or to express such a wish.

But Nattie, recalling now the bears-grease, the musk, the cheap jewelry
and their obnoxious possessor, answered only, "Good-by."

CHAPTER VIII

THE FEAST.

Pondering discontentedly over the perplexities of life, a habit she had
allowed herself to indulge in quite frequently of late, one day not long
after the final exit of the once interesting but now obnoxious "C,"
Nattie suddenly became aware of a pair of merry brown eyes, belonging to
a fine-looking young gentleman, observing her critically, and with
apparently no intention of discontinuing their scrutiny. At which, in
her present state of temper, Nattie turned very red and very angry. "I
am not on exhibition," she thought, indignantly, and rising
majestically, went towards him with the curt inquiry,

"Did you wish to send a message, sir?" The young gentleman hesitated,
and appeared slightly embarrassed, but did not take his eyes from her
face, nevertheless.

"I merely wished to ask the tariff