sting heart, had gone to Seth
Winters with his trouble. The farrier had comforted as best he could,
had assured the old negro of his own utmost faith in him, but--he
could not explain the absence of the money and his assurances had been
of small avail.

Whenever he was alone poor Ephraim brooded over the matter. He now
avoided his fellow workers as much as he could. His appetite failed,
his nights were sleepless, and Dinah impressively declared that: "He's
yeitheh been hoodooed or he stole dat money." She was inclined to
accept the first possibility, but with the superstition of her race
felt that one was about as derogatory as the other. So nobody, except
Mr. Winters, had been very sorry to have him stay behind on this
occasion when jollity and not low spirits was desirable.

At last when all was secure, the care-taker retired to his bench and
his nap, and had been enjoying himself thus for an hour or so, when
the sound of wheels and somebody's "Whooa-a!" aroused him.

"Ah, friend! Can thee afford to waste time like this?" demanded a
blandly reproving voice; and Ephraim opened his eyes to behold George
Fox and his owner reined up before him. He knew that equipage and
wondered to see it at Deerhurst, whose mistress, he knew, had scant
liking for the miller.

"Yes, sah. I'se reckon Ah c'n afford hit; bein' mo' inclined to take
mah rest 'an to go rampagin' eroun' to circuses an' such. On yo' way
dar, sah?"

"I? _I!_ On my way to a circus? Thee must know little of a Friend's
habits to accuse me of such frivolity. Where is that Seth Winters?"
asked Oliver Sands, well knowing what the answer would be and having
timed his visit with that knowledge.

"He's done gone to de Show, sah. He natchally injoys a good time. Yes,
sah, he's one mighty happy ole man, Massa Seth Winters is, sah."

"One mighty----" began the miller then checked himself. "I came--but
thee will answer just as well. I'd like to inspect that new barn
Elisabeth Calvert has put up; and, if thee will, show me through her
house as well. I've heard of its appointments and Dorcas, my wife, is
anxious to learn of the range in the kitchen. Thee knows that
women----"

Again the visitor paused, suggestively, and Ephraim reflected for a
moment. He knew that his Miss Betty was the soul of hospitality and
might upbraid him if he refused to show a neighbor through the
premises. Even strangers sometimes drove into the park and were
permitted to inspect the greenhou