n ears
could catch a word or two of what David was saying. After all, it was not
so much the new railroad project that she cared about, though that was
strange and interesting enough, but she wanted to watch and listen to
David.

Harry Temple said a great many pretty things to Marcia. She did not half
hear some of them at first, but after a time she began to realize that she
must have made a good impression, and the pretty flush in her cheeks grew
deeper. She did little talking. Mr. Temple did it all. He told her of New
York. He asked if she were not dreadfully bored with this little town and
its doings, and bewailed her lot when he learned that she had not had much
experience there. Then he asked if she had ever been to New York and began
to tell of some of its attractions. Among other things he mentioned some
concerts, and immediately Marcia was all attention. Her dark eyes glowed
and her speaking face gave eager response to his words. Seeing he had
interested her at last, he kept on, for he was possessor of a glib tongue,
and what he did not know he could fabricate without the slightest
compunction. He had been about the world and gathered up superficial
knowledge enough to help him do this admirably, therefore he was able to
use a few musical terms, and to bring before Marcia's vivid imagination
the scene of the performance of Handel's great "Creation" given in Boston,
and of certain musical events that were to be attempted soon in New York.
He admitted that he could play a little upon the harpsichord, and, when he
learned that Marcia could play also and that she was the possessor of a
piano, one of the latest improved makes, he managed to invite himself to
play upon it. Marcia found to her dismay that she actually seemed to have
invited him to come some afternoon when her husband was away. She had only
said politely that she would like to hear him play sometime, and expressed
her great delight in music, and he had done the rest, but in her
inexperience somehow it had happened and she did not know what to do.

It troubled her a good deal, and she turned again toward the other end of
the room, where the attention of most of the company was riveted upon the
group who were discussing the railroad, its pros and cons. David was the
centre of that group.

"Let us go over and hear what they are saying," she said, turning to her
companion eagerly.

"Oh, it is all stupid politics and arguments about that ridiculous
fairy