ame aware of a
voice behind her, which said:--

"You have chosen a beautiful day for a walk, Miss Maitland," and
turning, she faced Mr. Richard Smith of the Guardian.

"Why, how do you do!" the girl said, holding out her hand with frank
cordiality. "I'm very glad to see you. Would it flatter you if I said
I was thinking of you this morning?"

"It would," said Smith, soberly. "It does not do to flatter me. I
don't get over it easily. I don't go so far as to forbid it, you
understand, to those who know me, but I recognize it as being as
seductive and alluring and dangerous as any delightful but deadly drug,
and I usually flee from it accordingly."

"Well, there's really no reason why you should flee from it now--unless
it is a pecuniary reason," said Miss Maitland, smiling. "But in case
you should start to escape, perhaps I had better modify my statement
and say that I was actually thinking of that old harness maker and
wondering when you were coming to tell me about ways and means of
keeping him in business."

"I had hoped to do so before this," the other replied. "I wrote the
Guardian agent at Robbinsville on the same day you visited the office,
but I've had nothing to report until to-day."

"And have you now? What is it?"

"This morning I received a letter from our agent. He said that the
creditors had held a protracted meeting, and there was one irritating
old party who kept suggesting that the poorhouse was the inevitable
solution; but finally arrangements were made by which our old friend
can keep his shop as long as he lives. They trusteed the business, I
believe."

Helen was silent, and for a little space the two walked forward without
a word. At last the girl lifted her eyes to Smith's a little wistfully.

"I'm glad he can keep his shop," she said; "and yet in one way I'm
rather sorry that the creditors agreed. I would have liked to have
helped the old man, myself, and I think it would have been rather good
fun to have financed a harness business."

"Yes; it would," Smith rejoined, with a laugh. "But I confess I'm a
little relieved. I'm afraid that for me it would have meant attaching
another mortgage to the old homestead, which already looks like a
popular bill board, it is so plastered with prior liens."

The girl did not know exactly what answer to make to this, so she made
none. Smith presently went on.

"But I'm sure he would like to know that you would have assisted him if
it