to Wade, the unapproachable
lion-in-chief. Bill was reinstated in public esteem, and had won back his
standing in the Foundry. He had to-day made a speech which Perry Purtett
gave everybody to understand "none of Senator Bill Seward's could hold the
tallow to." Getting up the meeting and presenting Wade with the skates was
Bill's own scheme, and it had turned out an eminent success. Everything
began to look bright to him. His past life drifted out of his mind like
the rowdy tales he used to read in the Sunday newspapers.

He had watched Belle Purtett all the morning, and saw that she
distinguished nobody with her smiles, not even that _coq du village_,
Ringdove. He also observed that she was furtively watching him.

By-and-by she sailed out of the crowd, and went off a little way to
practise.

"Now," said he to himself, "sail in, Bill Tarbox!"

Belle heard the sharp strokes of a powerful skater coming after her. Her
heart divined who this might be. She sped away like the swift Camilla, and
her modest drapery showed just enough and "_ne quid nimis_" of her ankles.

Bill admired the grace and the ankles immensely. But his hopes sank a
little at the flight,--for he thought she perceived his chase and meant to
drop him. Bill had not bad a classical education, and knew nothing of
Galatea in the Eclogue,--how she did not hide, until she saw her swain was
looking fondly after.

"She wants to get away," he thought "But she sha'n't,--no, not if I have
to follow her to Albany."

He struck out mightily. Presently the swift Camilla let herself be
overtaken.

"Good morning, Miss Purtett." (Dogged air.)

"Good morning, Mr. Tarbox." (Taken-by-surprise air.)

"I've been admiring your skating," says Bill, trying to be cool.

"Have you?" rejoins Belle, very cool and distant.

"Have you been long on the ice?" he inquired, hypocritically.

"I came on two hours ago with Mr. Ringdove and the girls," returned she,
with a twinkle which said, "Take that, Sir, for pretending you did not see
me."

"You've seen Mr. Wade skate, then," Bill said, ignoring Ringdove.

"Yes; isn't it splendid?" Belle replied, kindling.

"Tip-top!"

"But then he does everything better than anybody."

"So he does!" Bill said,--true to his friend, and yet beginning to be
jealous of this enthusiasm. It was not the first time he had been jealous
of Wade; but he had quelled his fears, like a good fellow.

Belle perceived Bill's jealousy, and could hav