"Why, how in the name o' all Christen nater did you find out I'd done
it?" asked Isaac, in reply; who having, meantime, regained his former
position, and restored the plate, minus some of its contents, now sat a
perfect picture of comical surprise, with his mouth slightly ajar, and
his small eyes strained to their utmost and fastened seriously upon the
querist as he awaited her answer.

"Murder will out, dear Isaac," replied Ella, with a ringing laugh; in
which she was joined by most of the others; and particularly by the
subject of the joke; who perceiving, too late for retreat, that he had
been betrayed into an acknowledgment of his secret, deemed this his
wisest course for defence.

"And so, Isaac, you have really proposed to darling Peggy, then? and we
are to have a wedding shortly?" continued his tormentor. "And pray which
did look the most foolish of the two?--or was it a drawn-game, as we
sometimes say of draughts?"

"Why," rejoined Isaac, changing color as rapidly as an aurora borealis,
and evidently much embarrassed; "I 'spect I mought as well own up,
being's I've got cotched in my own trap; and besides, it won't make no
great difference, only as I war intending it for a surprise. You see I
axed Peggy the question last night; and it's all settled; and we're
going to be married in less nor a week, ef nothing unforeseen don't
happen; and as Mr. Reynolds ar a stranger in these diggins, I thought
prehaps as how he'd like a little amusement like, and so I've fixed on
him for my groomsman."

"I am much obliged for your kind intentions, and the honor you would
confer on me," answered Reynolds, sadly; "but I am sorry to say, I shall
be under the necessity of declining your invitation; as on the morrow I
design taking a farewell leave of you all, and quitting this part of the
country forever."

Mr. Younker, his wife, and son, all started, with looks of surprise, at
this announcement, while Ella again grew deadly pale; and rising, with
some little trepidation, retired from the table. The stranger was the
only one unmoved.

"To-morrow!" ejaculated Mrs. Younker.

"Take leave o' us!" said the host.

"Quit the country forever!" repeated Isaac.

"Such, I assure you, is my determination," rejoined Algernon.

"But your wound, Mr. Reynolds?" suggested Younker.

"Is not entirely healed," returned Algernon; "yet I trust sufficiently
so to allow me to pursue my journey. The wound, as you are aware, was
only a fles