way with much rejoicing.

"I'll only have to go into the city once a week now," he said to
Constance, "and my literary work at home won't require over three
hours a day. That's something like living!"

Constance was as delighted as he, but she was more cautious and said
less. She once remarked in this connection that she intended to borrow
a motto from Steve's coat of arms--"Mum's the Word."

During the past few years Randolph's expenses had been small and his
earnings considerable; consequently he had quite a goodly sum in bank.
With a portion of this he and Constance bought a small place in the
country, happening on a genuine bargain, as one will if he has cash in
hand. The house was little more than a cabin, and they decided to
devote it to their servants--a married pair--while they built a
cottage for their own use.

The latter deserves more than a passing word. Both Randolph and
Constance had "Liberty and a Living" in mind when they planned it, and
although it did not precisely repeat that charming little domicile,
yet it was built in much the same style. The one big room--library,
dining-room, and sometime kitchen combined--looked out from three
sides. In the early morning it saw the clouds piled up in expectant
glory over the way across the surging lake; toward evening its windows
to the left blazed their farewell as day sailed into the west; while
golden sunbeams played at hide-and-go-seek among its pretty
furnishings throughout the midway hours. Even on cold, cloudy days
there was still good cheer, for a big log fire crackled on the ample
hearth beneath the oaken mantel, whereon a glowing iron had etched
Cowper's invitation (who could say it nay?):

"Nor stir the fire and close the shutters fast;
Let fall the curtains;
Wheel the sofa round;
And while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn
Throws up a steamy column, and the cups
That cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each,
So let us welcome cheerful evening in."

The very furnishings of this library were intellectually and
spiritually appetizing. A large desk, off one side, bespoke brain
work; a solid center-table, strewn with books and magazines, made one
long for the glow of the big lamp and the leisure of the evening,
while Constance's grand piano seemed to stir the very air with a dream
of harmony. The room was lined with low book-cases; above Shakespeare
stood his bust; above the many volumes on musical themes, busts of
Bee