d air to
May and Helen, then to Mr. Stillinghast, who invited him to be seated.

"My name is Jerrold, sir--Walter Jerrold, and I have come to bring you
rents due for the property belonging to you which I occupy."

"Which of my houses is it?" inquired Mr. Stillinghast, gruffly.

"One on C---- Street, sir; and the warehouse on Bolton's Wharf. Here are
the bills, which I hope you will find satisfactory," replied the young
man, handing him a roll of notes, which he inspected carefully one by one.

"All right, sir: but the fact is, Mr. Jerrold, this is a very irregular
way of doing business. The next time we can settle our matters better at
my counting-room," said the old man, folding the notes away; after which
he wrote a receipt, and handed to him. "Many things might happen: you
_might_, have been robbed on your way hither; I _may_ be robbed to-night."

"We young fellows are sadly deficient in prudence, Mr. Stillinghast, but
your suggestions shall not be lost on me," replied Mr. Jerrold,
pleasantly. Although Mr. Jerrold's visit was ostensibly one of business,
he was not at all inattentive to the presence of the cousins. His eye
lingered on the faultless face of Helen, until she lifted her large brown
eyes, and caught his glance, when a soft blush tinted her cheeks, and the
long fringed lids drooped over them. May dropped her handkerchief, which
he picked up, and handed to her with a courteous bow.

"I fear, ladies, that my awkward visit has interrupted some domestic
arrangement," he said, observing the tea-table.

"Not at all, sir," replied May, frankly.

"I beg a thousand pardons if I have; but good evening--good evening, Mr.
Stillinghast. I shall beg your permission, sir, to-morrow to consult you
about the investment of some funds I have lying idle."

"Of course, sir;" said Mr. Stillinghast, following him to the door. "A
rising young man! Come, come, make haste, and clear off the table; I
have accounts to look over."

"Come, dear Helen, it will be better for you to help a little," whispered
May. "Here is the evening paper, sir, and your pipe when you are ready,"
she said to her uncle.

"Humph!" was the only reply she received. When every thing was finished,
they bade him good night, and ran up to their chamber.

"_Where_ were you to-day, May?" inquired Helen, as soon as May closed the
door.

"I was at church--down town--up town--then I came home," said May,
cheerfully; "and more than that I do no