consolation
in that idea to a man about to commit matrimony."

"There are very few men I know of," said Arthur, "but what could 'lay
to their soul that flattering unction.'"

"When you 're swapping 'sights unseen,'" said Checkers, "you do n't
want too good a knife, or a horse yourself, or you 'll get the hooks on
the trade."

"With all respect to you, my boy, you'd be far from 'getting the
hooks,' as you call it, with Sadie Martin for a wife."

"Or you with Miss Barlow, I suppose."

Arthur's only response was a long drawn sigh, and he gazed into
distance vacantly.

"Where did they get the name of 'Pert' for Miss Barlow, Arthur?" asked
Checkers, suddenly.

"It's an abbreviation of a biblical name," said Arthur. "In a verse of
one of Paul's Epistles to the Romans, he says, 'Salute also the beloved
Persis.' When Pert was a child they gave her the nick-name, and it's
stuck to her ever since."

Friday evening came at last, and Arthur and Checkers at an early hour
drove down the mountain to call upon the young ladies.

The Barlows lived much nearer Clarksville than did the Kendalls, though
upon a different road, and the young men had a long and round-about
drive ere they reached their destination. As they entered the driveway
two large dogs came bounding toward them, growling fiercely.

"Look out thar, boys, ye do n't git dog-bit!" shouted a voice. "Here
Lion, here Tige; commir, ye varmints! What d 'ye mean? All right now;
I 've got a-hold of 'em. That you, Arthur; how de do?"

"How do you do, Mr. Barlow?" responded Arthur.

"Hitch yer hosses ter that tree thar. I 'll send Joe out ter tend to
'em. Ye 'll find the girls round the side in a hammock. Here 's Pert
a-comin' now."

"Good evening, Arthur, I 'm glad to see you," said a pleasant voice,
and out of the shadow into the light of the yellow moon, which was just
showing over the tops of the trees, the figure of a girl in white
appeared, moving quickly and gracefully toward them.

Arthur stepped forward, and taking both of her hands in his, pressed
them silently for a moment. "Pert," he said, "I want you to meet my
friend, Mr. Campbell. Come here, old man. Miss Barlow, Mr. Campbell."

"I am very glad to meet you, Miss Barlow," said Checkers, with a
graceful inclination.

"Where's Sadie, Pert? Oh, here she comes," said Arthur. "That you,
Sadie? How are you?"

"Pretty well, thank you. How's yourself?"

"Sadie, let me introduce you to a