y, if you
think that safe: I don't advise it. But if you had a friend who knew her
well, and was a person of capacity and resource and great tact and
approved discretion, and willing to employ all these qualities in your
service--"

"O, I'll leave the affair in your hands: I don't see what else I can do.
I'm everlastingly obliged to you, of course."

"Yes, I should think you would be; a nice mess you'd make of it by
yourself. You have no idea how this thing has weighed on my mind ever
since you left us at Newport; nor how awkward it is, even for me, to
approach a girl of her sensitive pride and highminded delicacy on such a
subject. But I'm ready to go on suffering in your cause, James, even if
it be for years."

"I hope it won't take as long as that. Hurry it up, old man, now you've
got a start. Don't let the injury to Her and the weight on my conscience
go on accumulating. What you do, do quickly."

"So you'd like me to rush off to-morrow? There's gratitude. No, sir; I
must think the matter over, and I may have to consult you about details.
Besides, they are all exercised about my health, and expect me to make
my week out. Your case is not a strong one, James; all depends on the
way it is put. I will not ruin it by indecent pressure or undue haste.
Leave it to me, and let sweet sleep revisit the weary head whence she
has fled so long. In simpler language, keep still and do as I tell you,
and don't bother."

I took pen and ink to my room, and indited a home epistle. It informed
Mabel that I was progressing toward recovery, and expected to ship some
large trout, carefully packed in ice; also that she was a true prophet,
and the other business in hand was moving just as she had foretold. I
enclosed a brief note to Clarice, which said simply, "O. K. Ever thine,"
and signed it with my initials and Jim's: and a cartoon for Jane, which
I sat up late to design and execute. It represented a small lover,
transfixed with a large arrow, prostrating himself before a Haughty
Damsel of High Degree. This work of art, with the subjoined effusions,
will keep up their spirits till I get home.

XXX.

WASTED ADVICE.

I will not tell you what more we did that week, nor how many wagonloads
of big game we bagged when we sallied forth with guns to make war upon
the monarchs of the forest: perhaps their hides and horns are on view in
my library, and perhaps not. Nor will you expect any more scenery of me,
seeing how I have g