spent, were matters of less consequence, apparently,
than what he was now. He had been wild at college, as other boys had
been, she learned; he had tried the cattle-business in the West, she was
told; but there had been a quarrel with his father, a reconciliation, a
devoted mother, a long sojourn abroad,--Heidelberg,--a sudden summons to
return, the death of the father, and then the management of a valuable
estate fell to the son. There were other children, brother and sisters,
three in all, but Steven was the first-born and the mother's glory. She
was with him at the sea-side, and the first thing that moved Nellie
Travers to like him was his devotion to that white-haired woman who
seemed so happy in his care. Between that mother and Mrs. Rayner there
had speedily sprung up an acquaintance. She had vastly admired Nellie,
and during the first fortnight of their visit to the Surf House had
shown her many attentions. The illness of a daughter called her away,
and Mrs. Rayner announced that she, too, was going elsewhere, when Mr.
Van Antwerp himself returned, and Mrs. Rayner decided it was so late in
the season that they had better remain until it was time to go to town.
In October they spent a fortnight in the city, staying at the
Westminster, and he was assiduous in his attentions, taking them
everywhere, and lavishing flowers and bonbons upon Nell. Then Mrs. Van
Antwerp invited them to visit her at her own comfortable, old-fashioned
house down town, and Mrs. Rayner was eager to accept, but Nellie said
no; she would not do it: she could not accept Mr. Van Antwerp; she
liked, admired, and was attracted by him, but she felt that love him she
did not. He was devoted, but had tact and patience, and Mrs. Rayner at
last yielded to her demand and took her off in October to spend some
time in the interior of the State with relations of their mother, and
there, frequently, came Mr. Van Antwerp to see her and to urge his suit.
They were to have gone to Warrener immediately after the holidays, but
January came and Nellie had not surrendered. Another week in the city, a
long talk with the devoted old mother whose heart was so wrapped up in
her son's happiness and whose arms seemed yearning to enfold the lovely
girl, and Nellie was conquered. If not fully convinced of her love for
Mr. Van Antwerp, she was more than half in love with his mother. Her
promise was given, and then she seemed eager to get back to the
frontier which she had kn