etheart's father.
"Manzini was the last man whose works he played--the last man he ever
handled bow and fiddle for. His own words. He left the book open when
he went away, and closed it when he came back again." He drew the
discolored note from his pocket, and stared at it with a look of tragic
certainty.

"Be we all mad together?" said Fuller. "What's the matter with the lad,
i' the name o' wonder?"

"I'll explain everything, sir," answered Reuben, like a man awakening
from sleep. "And yet I don't know that I can. I don't know that I have
a right to explain. I could ask Ruth's advice. It's hard to know what to
do in such a case."

"Theer's no such thing as a straight wescut i' the house, worse luck,"
said Fuller. "Theer _is_ a clothesline, if that 'ud serve as well."

"May I see Miss Ruth, sir?" asked Reuben. "I'll tell you all about it if
I can. But I think I have found out a very strange and mournful thing."

Fuller threw open the window and called "Ruth." She came in slowly,
and started when she saw Reuben there, and both she and he stood for a
moment in some confusion.

"Gi'e the wench a kiss and ha' done with it," said Fuller. "Her's as
ready as thee beest willin'."

Reuben acted on this sage counsel, and Ruth, though she blushed like a
rose, made no protest.

"Theer," said papa, hugging his fat waistcoat, and rolling from the
room. "Call me when I'm wanted."

He was not wanted for a long time, for the lovers had much to say to
each other, as was only natural. First of all, Ruth shyly gave Reuben
the letter she had written the night before, and he read it, and then
there were questions to be asked and answered on either side, as--Did
she really love him? And why? And since when? And had she not always
known that he loved her? All which the reader shall figure out of his
or her own experience or fancy; for these things, though delightful in
their own time and place, are not to be written of, having a smack of
foolishness with much that is tender and charming.

Next--or rather interlaced with this--came Ruth's version of Aunt
Rachel's curious behavior. And then said Reuben,

"I think I hold the key to that. But whether I do or not remains to be
seen. I found this in Manzini. You see how old it looks. The very pin
that held it to the paper was rusted half through. You see," turning
it over, "it is addressed to Mr. Gold. I am afraid it was meant for my
uncle, and that he never saw it. If it is a breach o