ontortion
of visage which accompanied it, that the girl stood regarding him in
blank astonishment.

"His consent?" she said in a strange voice.

Mr. Raggett nodded.

"I went to him first," he said, trying to speak confidently. "Now I've
come to you--I want you to marry me!"

"Don't you be a silly old man, Mr. Raggett," said Kate, recovering her
composure. "And as for my father, you go back and tell him I want to see
him."

She drew aside and pointed to the door, and Mr. Raggett, thinking that
he had done quite enough for one day, passed out and retraced his steps
to the "Jolly Sailor." Mr. Boom met him half-way, and having received
his message, spent the rest of the morning In fortifying himself for the
reception which awaited him.

It would be difficult to say which of the two young people was the more
astonished at this sudden change of affairs. Miss Boom, affecting to
think that her parent's reason was affected treated him accordingly,
a state of affairs not without its drawbacks, as Mr. Boom found out.
Tarrell, on the other hand, attributed it to greed, and being forbidden
the house, spent all his time ashore on a stile nearly opposite, and
sullenly watched events.

For three weeks Mr. Raggett called daily, and after staying to tea,
usually wound up the evening by formally proposing for Kate's hand. Both
conspirators were surprised and disappointed at the quietness with which
Miss Boom received these attacks; Mr. Raggett meeting with a politeness
which was a source of much wonder to both of them.

His courting came to an end suddenly. He paused one evening with his
hand on the door, and having proposed in the usual manner was going out,
when Miss Boom called him back.

"Sit down, Mr. Raggett," she said calmly. Mr. Raggett, wondering
inwardly, resumed his seat.

"You have asked me a good many times to marry you," said Kate.

"I have," said Mr. Raggett, nodding.

"And I'm sure it's very kind of you," continued the girl, "and if I've
hurt your feelings by refusing you, it is only because I have thought
perhaps I was not good enough for you."

In the silence which followed this unexpected and undeserved tribute
to Mr. Raggett's worth, the two old men eyed each other in silent
consternation.

"Still, if you've made up your mind," continued the girl, "I don't know
that it's for me to object. You're not much to look at, but you've
got the loveliest chest of drawers and the best furniture all round in
Ma