d out well, and a good big pile of beech and maple
lies at his door. I shall sleep better for that."

They enjoyed their devotions, Fabens praying that God would bless His
beloved poor, and all who were suffering and needy; while He kept their
own hearts from unjust judgments, from deception and evil; and they
were soon wrapped warmly and well in the slumbers of the night.

XXIII.

FAIRBANKS, FRISBIE, AND FABENS.

Not another month expired before Fairbanks paid a visit to Squire
Fabens, and conversed a whole evening on topics that could not but
interest the family; and Mrs. Fabens confessed he had never appeared so
well to her mind before; and that if there were art and insinuation in
his manner that time, it was so skilfully managed and deeply concealed
she could not discover it.

Still something impressed her with the conviction that it would be
quite as well not to rely too much on his integrity, until he was
better known; and by no large trusts committed to his honor, to tempt
him to an act of vice. But Fabens and Fanny could harbor no
suspicions; while for the latter, Fairbanks showed more regard on this
occasion than would have been compatible with a knowledge of her
engagement to Ludlow, and respect for the sanctity of plighted love.
Still, it appeared his unthinking way of indulging hearty friendship;
and indeed it rather augmented than diminished Fanny's regard for him.

When about to return, Fairbanks remarked that he had been engaged
beyond present preparations in the purchase of produce of late, and had
expended more of his money than he calculated in the beginning; and if
the Squire would lend him fifty dollars he should have it back again in
a fortnight. The money was handed him without hesitation; and just a
week from that time, Frisbie came and paid it, saying that Fairbanks
always felt distressed when he could not take up his notes, and pay
borrowed money before he agreed to. He spent another evening; and
among other questions, he inquired, in an innocent way, if they knew
George Ludlow.

"We know him very well. Why, what of him?" returned Fabens.

"O, nothing," answered Frisbie; "nothing. I happened to think of him
just now; that is all. I believe Fairbanks saw him for the first time
in your harvest-field last summer. He would not have remembered it, if
Ludlow had not had occasion to mention the circumstance in connection
with another affair the other day."

"Then you have seen