w old Deacon Tripp of Elwood, would open his eyes when he heard
'Mrs. Square Worthington and darter' had come back with a 'nigger.' It
would furnish him with material for half a dozen monthly concerts, and
I'm not sure but he'd try to run her off, if he had a chance. But Lu
likes Hugh too well ever to be coaxed away; so we're safe on that
score. 'Mrs. Worthington, daughter, and colored servant, Spring Bank,
Kentucky.' I can almost see that on the clerk's books at the United
States. Then I can manage to let it be known that I'm an heiress, as I
am. We needn't tell that it's only a thousand dollars, most of which I
have on my back, and maybe I'll come home Adaline somebody else. There
are always splendid matches at Saratoga. We'll go North the middle of
July, just three weeks from now."

'Lina had talked so fast that Mrs. Worthington had been unable to put in
a word; but it did not matter. 'Lina was invulnerable to all she could
say, and it was in vain that she pleaded for Rocket, or reminded the
ungrateful girl of the many long, weary nights, when Hugh had sat by her
bedside, holding her feverish hands and bathing her aching head. This
was very kind and brotherly, 'Lina admitted; but she steeled her heart
against the still, small voice, which whispered to her: "Redeem Rocket,
and let Hugh find him here when he gets home."

'Lina wrote to Alice Johnson herself that morning, went to Frankfort
that afternoon, to Versailles and Lexington the next day, and on the
morning of the third day after the receipt of Mrs. Johnson's letter,
Spring Bank presented the appearance of one vast show-room, so full it
was of silks and muslins and tissues and flowers and ribbons and laces,
while amid it all, in a maze of perplexity as to what was required of
her, or where first to commence, Adah Hastings sat, a flush on her fair
cheeks, and a tear half dimming the luster of her eyes as thoughts of
Willie crying for mamma at home, and refusing to be comforted even by
old Sam came to her.

When 'Lina first made known her request to Adah, to act as her
dressmaker, Aunt Eunice had objected, on the ground of Adah's illness
having been induced by overwork, but 'Lina insisted so strenuously,
promising not to task her too much, and offering with an air of extreme
generosity to pay three shillings a day, that Adah had consented, for
pretty baby Willie wanted many little things which Hugh would never
dream of, and for which she could not ask him. Three