one of the natives saw the
transfer. There was some speculation as to how the darky managed to
carry the big trunk single-handed; one of two persons asked Augustus
this very question, but they received no satisfactory answer. Augustus
was habitually close-mouthed. Mr. Godfrey left town that same morning on
the first train.

The Major christened his new home "Silver-leaf Hall," because of two
great "silver-leaf" trees that stood by the front door. He had some
repairing, paper hanging and painting done, ordered a big stock of
groceries from the local dealer, and showed by his every action that
his stay in East Harniss was to be a lengthy one. He hired a pew in the
Methodist church, and joined the "club." Augustus did the marketing for
"Silver-leaf Hall," and had evidently been promoted to the position of
housekeeper.

The Major moved in April. It was now the third week in June and
his popularity was, if possible, more pronounced than ever. On this
particular, the evening of Captain Bailey Stitt's unexpected arrival,
Obed had been sitting by the tea table in his dining room after supper,
going over the account books of his paint, paper, and oil store. His
sister, Mrs. Polena Ginn, was washing dishes in the kitchen.

"Wat's that letter you're readin', Obed?" she called from her post by
the sink.

"Nothin'," said her brother, gruffly, crumpling up the sheet of note
paper and jamming it into his pocket.

"My sakes! you're shorter'n pie crust to-night. What's the matter?
Anything gone wrong at the store?"

"No."

Silence again, only broken by the clatter of dishes. Then Polena said:

"Obed, when are you goin' to take me up to the clubroom so's I can see
that picture of Major Hardee that he presented the club with? Everybody
says it's just lovely. Sarah T. says it's perfectly elegant, only not
quite so handsome as the Major reelly is. She says it don't flatter him
none."

"Humph! Anybody'd think Hardee was some kind of a wonder, the way you
women folks go on 'bout him. How do you know but what he might be a
reg'lar fraud? Looks ain't everything."

"Well, I never! Obed Gott, I should think you'd be 'shamed of yourself,
talkin' that way. I shan't speak another word to you to-night. I never
see you act so unlikely. An old fraud! The idea! That grand, noble man!"

Obed tried to make some sort of half-hearted apology, but his sister
wouldn't listen to it. Polena's dignity was touched. She was a woman of
consequence in