e cedars and evergreen oaks. On one small space of
sidewalk which was quiet, Johanna found breath and utterance.

"Umph! dis-yeh town is busy. Look like jess ev'ybody a-makin' money."
She got her mistress to read a certain sign for her. "Jawn Mawch,
Gen'lemun!--k-he-he!--dass a new kine o' business. An' yit, Miss Barb, I
heah Gen'l Halliday tell Miss Fannie 'istiddy dat Mr. Mawch done come
out ahade on dem-ah telegraph pole' what de contractors done git sicken'
on an' th'ow up. He mus' be pow'ful smart, dat Mr. Mawch; ain't he, Miss
Barb?"

"I don't know," murmured Barbara; "anybody can make money when
everybody's making it." She bent her gaze into a milliner's window.

The maid eyed her anxiously. There were growing signs that Barbara's
shopping was not for the bride-elect only, but for herself also, and for
a long journey and a longer absence.

"Miss Barb, yondeh Mr. Mawch. Miss Barb, he de hayn'somess mayn in de
three counties!"

"Ridiculous! Come, make haste." Haste was a thing they were beginning to
make large quantities of in Suez. It has some resemblance to speed.

"Miss Garnet, pardon me." March gave the Rosemont bow, she gave the
Montrose. "Don't let me stop you, please." He caught step.

"Is General Halliday in town? I suppose, of course, you've seen Miss
Fannie this morning?" His boyish eyes looked hungry for a little
teasing. She stopped in a store doorway. Her black garb heightened the
charm of her red-brown hair, and of the countenance ready enough for
laughter, yet well content without it.

"Yes. I'm shopping for her now." Her smiling lip implied the coming
bridal, but her eyes told him teasing was no longer in order. General
Halliday was in Blackland, she said, but would be back by noon. March
gave the Rosemont bow, she gave the Montrose, Johanna unconsciously
courtesied.

In the post-office John found two letters. One he saw instantly was from
Leggett. He started for his office, opening the other, which was
post-marked Boston. It ran:

"MY DEAR MR. MARCH.--My father has carefully considered your very
clear and elaborate plan, and, while he freely admits his judgment
may be wrong, he deems it but just to be perfectly frank with you."

The reader's step ceased. A maker of haste jostled him. He did not know
it. His heart sank; he lost the place on the page. He leaned against an
awning-post and read on:

"He feels bound to admire a certain masterly inventiveness and
c