the whole-hearted
simplicity to listen well and to answer well. Sincerity to my mind is
often a snare to gain the confidence of others."

There was depth to his reasoning, Marjorie thought, which was
riddle-like as well. It was amazing to her how well he could talk on any
given topic, naturally, easily, seriously, as the case might be. He
never seemed to assume the mastery of any conversation, nor to talk with
an air of authority on any subject, for he was alive to all topics and
entered into them with the same apparent cleverness and animated
interest.

He stopped suddenly and exerted a gentle though firm pressure on her
arm, obliging her to halt her steps. Surprised, she turned and looked at
him.

"What is it?" she asked.

There was no response. Instead, she looked in the direction of his gaze.
Then she saw.

A large black snake lay in graceful curves across their path several
rods ahead. Its head was somewhat elevated and rigid. Before it
fluttered a small chickadee in a sort of strange, though powerless
fascination, its wings partly open in a trembling manner, its chirp
noisy and incessant, its movement rapid and nervous, as it partly
advanced, partly retreated before its enchanter. Nearer and nearer it
came, with a great scurrying of the feet and wings, towards the
motionless head of the serpent. Until Anderson, picking a stone from the
roadside, threw a well-aimed shot which bounded over the head of the
snake, causing it to turn immediately and crawl into the recesses of the
deep underbrush of the adjoining field. The bird, freed from the source
of its sinister charm, flew out of sight into safety.

"Thank God!" Marjorie breathed. "I was greatly frightened."

"Nothing would have saved that bird," was the reply. "It already was
powerless."

Marjorie did not answer to this, but became very quiet and pensive. They
walked on in silence.

Nearing the home of Peggy, they beheld General Arnold seated before them
on the spacious veranda in the company of his betrothed. Here was
intrusion with a vengeance, Marjorie thought, but the beaming face and
the welcoming expression soon dispelled her fears.

"Miss Shippen," Anderson said, as he advanced immediately toward her to
seize her hand, "allow me to offer my tender though tardy
congratulations. It was with the greatest joy that I listened to the
happy announcement."

"You are most kind, Mr. Anderson, and I thank you for it," was the soft
response.

"And y