his
mother's."

They carried out their plan of avoidance, and so skilfully that neither
mother nor son was quite sure it was intended. In fact, it was difficult
for them to believe that any girl could wish to shun the attentions of a
young man so attractive in every way as was Clarence Augustus Faude.

"I should like you to marry one of those girls," the mother said to her
son, chatting alone with him in her own room; "you could not do better,
for they are beautiful, highly educated and accomplished, and will have
large fortunes."

"Which?" he added sententiously, and with a smile that seemed to say, he
was conscious that he had only to take his choice.

"I don't care; there's hardly a pin to choose between them."

"Just my opinion. Well, I think I shall go for the brown eyes; as you tell
me the other is not yet out, and I hear the father refuses, on that plea,
to allow any one to pay his addresses--though, between you and me, Mrs.
F., I fancy he might make an exception in my favor."

"It would not surprise me, Clarence Augustus," she responded, regarding
him with a proud, fond smile, "I fancy he must be aware that there's no
better match in the Union. But you have no time to lose, they may leave
here any day."

"True, but what's to hinder us from following? However, I will take your
advice, and lose no time. Let me borrow your writing desk for a moment.
I'll ask her to drive with me this morning, and while we're out secure her
company for the boating party that's to come off to-morrow."

A few moments later the younger Elsie came into her mother's room with a
note written in a manly hand, on delicately perfumed and tinted French
paper.

"What shall I do about it, mamma?" she asked. "Will you answer it for me.
Of course you know I do not wish to accept."

"I will, daughter," Mrs. Travilla said, "though if he were such a man as I
could receive into my family on friendly terms, I should prefer to have
you answer it yourself."

Mr. Faude's very handsome carriage and horses were at the door, a liveried
servant holding the reins, while the gentleman himself waited in the
parlor for the coming of the young lady, who, he doubted not, would be
well pleased to accept his invitation. He was not kept waiting long; had,
indeed, scarcely seated himself and taken up the morning paper, when Mr.
Travilla's Ben appeared with a note, presented it in grave silence, and
with a respectful bow, withdrew.

"Hold on! It may requ