heard these things as he walked
along, still tightly clutched by his old friend. He told himself that
it was incredible that he should care so much about the affairs of a
simple country girl whom he had known such a short time, but the
startling fact remained and haunted him.

They found their places at the table and sat down. The Ordinary, a
genial man of middle age, with a full brown beard, had a big jug of
fresh cider in front of him and was filling some tin cups with the amber
fluid.

"We are going to drink to the health and success of these two
gentlemen," he announced, when every one at the table had received his
cup of the beverage. "They are both agreeable men and are an honor to
our community. Moreover, I am satisfied that they are going to give us
the finest public building for the money in the state."

They all drank standing, and, as they resumed their seats, they glanced
at Cavanaugh as if expecting a response from him.

"I am much obliged," Cavanaugh stammered. "I can't make a speech or I'd
tell you how tickled I am by your compliment, and my young friend on my
right is, too. We are combining business and pleasure on this jaunt and
are having a fine time."

John was gloomily unconscious of the fact that he, too, was expected to
say something. Seeing Cavanaugh sit down, he did likewise. He was
watching Eperson and Tilly, who at one of the long tables near by sat
facing him. Eperson was bending eagerly toward her, smiling and saying
something in her ear. Tilly seemed to be listening, for she was smiling
also. Farther down the same table sat her father and mother. Whaley had
a plate heaped high with the meat and its accompanying peppery relish,
and was eating voraciously. Mrs. Whaley was chatting with a woman at
her side and scarcely eating at all. The brass band was playing, there
was a great clatter of knives and forks and tin cider-cups. John was in
one of his surliest moods. He was really hungry enough to have enjoyed
the feast, but his thoughts kept him from doing so. Presently he managed
to slip away from the table, and found himself alone. He wandered
aimlessly about the foundation of the new building, trying to make
himself believe that he was inspecting the work already done. The band
had ceased playing. The crowd of white citizens was thinning out, and
the negroes were falling into the vacant places at the tables. John saw
Cavanaugh and the elder Whaleys trudging homeward. Where was Tilly? he