much, he thought--he must
mingle more with the people, and build around himself a wall so strong
that nothing in the future could quite break it down.

Peter and the rest of his servants were consulted and entered heartily
into his plan. Cards of invitation were issued bearing the Crompton
monogram, and a notice inserted in the daily paper to the effect that
any who failed to receive a card were to know it was a mistake, and come
just the same. There was a great deal of excitement among the people,
for it had been a long time since any hospitality had been extended to
them, and they were eager to go, knowing that something fine was to be
expected, as the Colonel never did anything by halves. The day of the
lawn-party was perfect--neither too hot nor too cold--and the sun which
shone upon that humble funeral in the palmetto clearing shone upon a
very different scene in the Crompton grounds, where the people began to
assemble as early as one o'clock. The grass on the lawn was like velvet,
without a stick or stone to be seen, for two gardeners had been at work
upon it since sunrise, cutting and raking, and sprinkling, until it was
as fresh as after a soft summer shower. The late roses and white lilies
were in full bloom, the latter filling the air with a sweet odor and
making a lovely background. There were tables and chairs under the
maples and elms, and rugs and pieces of carpet wherever there was a
suspicion of dampness in the ground. There was a brass band in one part
of the grounds, and a string band in another, where the young people
danced under the trees. Refreshments were served at five o'clock, and
the festivities were kept up till the sun went down, and half the
children were sick from overeating--the mothers were tired, and some of
the men a little shaky in their legs, and thick in their speech, from a
too frequent acquaintance with the claret punch which stood here and
there in great bowls, free as water, and more popular. The crowning
event of the day came when the hundreds of lanterns were lighted on the
piazzas and in the trees, and every window in the house blazed with
candles placed in so close proximity to each other, that objects could
be plainly seen at some distance.

The Colonel was going to make a speech, and he came out upon an upper
balcony, where the light from ten tall lamps fell full upon him,
bringing out every feature of his face distinctly. He was rather pale
and haggard, but the people wer