e asked, as Mrs. Ball came in after the rest of the dishes. "Mr.
Winfield would like to send you a remembrance also." Then Ruth added, to
her conscience, "I know he would."

"He seems like a pleasant-spoken feller," remarked Aunt Jane. "You can
ask him to supper to-night, if you like."

"Thank you, Aunty, but we're going to Miss Ainslie's."

"Huh!" snorted Mrs. Ball. "Mary Ainslie ain't got no sperrit!" With this
enigmatical statement, she sailed majestically out of the room.

During the afternoon, Ruth finished her packing, leaving out a white
shirt-waist to wear to Miss Ainslie's. When she went down to the parlour
to wait for Winfield, Aunt Jane appeared, with her husband in her wake.

"Ruth," she announced, "me and James have decided on a weddin' present.
I would like a fine linen table-cloth and a dozen napkins."

"All right, Aunty."

"And if Mr. Winfield is disposed to it, he can give me a lemonade
set--one of them what has different coloured tumblers belongin' to it."

"He'll be pleased to send it, Aunty; I know he will."

"I'm a-layin' out to take part of them two hundred dollars what's sewed
up in James's belt, and buy me a new black silk," she went on. "I've got
some real lace to trim it with, whet dames give me in the early years of
our engagement. Don't you think a black silk is allers nice, Ruth?"

"Yes, it is, Aunty; and just now, it's very stylish."

"You appear to know about such things. I guess I'll let you get it
for me in the city when you buy the weddin' present. I'll give you the
money, and you can get the linin's too, while you're about it."

"I'll send you some samples, Aunty, and then you can take your choice."

"And--" began Mrs. Ball.

"Did you know Mrs. Pendleton was going away, Aunty?" asked Ruth,
hastily.

"Do tell! Elmiry Peavey goin' travellin'?"

"Yes, she's going somewhere for a visit--I don't know just where."

"I had laid out to take James and call on Elmiry," she said, stroking
her apron thoughtfully, while a shadow crossed Mr. Ball's expressive
face; "but I guess I'll wait now till I get my new black silk. I want
her to know I've done well."

A warning hiss from the kitchen and the odour of burning sugar impelled
Aunt Jane to a hasty exit just as Winfield came. Uncle James followed
them to the door.

"Niece Ruth," he said, hesitating and fumbling at his belt, "be you
goin' to get merried?"

"I hope so, Uncle," she replied kindly.

"Then--then--I wish you'd tak