over Will Axworthy; didn't care nothing 'tall
'bout him, on'y I'd got used havin' him round, and I'd have married him
if he asked me. I think a sight more of his cousin."

"The boy we saw at the Fair?"

"Yes. He's written me a lovely letter. Would you mind reading it aloud
to me? Some of the big words I couldn't make out, and neither could
Margaret. I wrote him all myself!"

Never before had it fallen to my lot to play father confessor to a lady
in love difficulties, but the editorial mind is equal to any emergency,
so I let my oars slide and adjusted my reading-glasses to peruse Mary's
precious epistle.

When I had read on to the signature. "Your devoted lover 'Tom,'" Mary's
face was radiant.

"Aint he smart? You know he was at the Fair, reporting for a newspaper."

"That explains his glibness. Don't have anything to do with him, Mary.
He's just trying to draw you on. The burnt dog should dread the fire."

"But he admires me, don't he?"

"He says so, but he is much more anxious that you should admire him.
Why, it's part of his business to keep his hand in by being in love, or
rather by having some silly little fool of a girl in love with him.
You'll just get left again if you encourage this young scamp."

April showers once more.

"I think the best thing I can do is to jump overboard here into Lake
Michigan. It don't seem to me I'm wanted anywheres."

"That might do very well, but you're too good a swimmer to drown
easily, and you'd catch on to my boat and upset me. I can't swim a
stroke, and there'd be five--six young Gemmells and a widow and a mother
cast upon the world. No, we'll have to think of something better than
that."

Mary's laughter was always quick an the heels of her tears.

"What do you think I'm good for, anyhow?"

"I can testify that you're not a success as a housekeeper."

"Nor a nursemaid."

"And as a lady's companion you're not all that could be desired, even if
there were a demand for the article in West Michigan."

"As a gentleman's companion I am all right," and the girl showed her
perfect teeth in a smile.

"It's no joking matter, Mary. You're not very happy in our house, and
things will be worse for you next winter, with no Will Axworthy coming
to see you, and no engagement to him in prospect. What do you think
yourself that you're fit for--putting reciting and cornet playing out of
the question?"

The young lady rested her chin on the palm of her hand and composed her