ld man was evident in all he said, and when he
lamented that his old friend's unreasonableness should make a settlement
of his affairs so difficult, and should make unpleasant talk and hard
feelings in the community, Mr Maxwell could not but spare his regret.

"Why, look here, Mr Maxwell. There hasn't been a cent paid on the
principal yet, and not all the interest, though it is years ago now, and
some of that has been borrowed money. And there is little prospect of
its being any different for years to come. If it had been almost any
one else but Jacob, he'd have foreclosed long ago, and I don't know but
he had better when the right time comes."

It was on Mr Maxwell's lips to express assent to this, when a glance at
the face of Miss Elizabeth arrested his words. It wore a look which he
had sometimes seen on it when she wished to turn her father's thoughts
away from a subject which was becoming painful to him. There was
anxiety, even pain in her face as well, on this occasion, and these
deepened as her father went on.

"Only the other day Jacob was talking to me about it. `Father,' says
he, `why can't you just say a word to the old man about letting me have
a piece of his land on the river, and settle matters all up. He'll hear
you,' says he. `I don't want to make hard feelings in the church, or
anywhere else,' says he. `It's as much for the old man's interest to
have his affairs all straightened out, as it is for me, and more. There
need be no trouble about it, if he'd only listen to reason.' I expect I
shall have to have a talk with Mr Fleming about it some time," added
the old man gravely. "Or you might speak, Mr Maxwell. He would listen
to you."

"Only, father, it would be as well to wait till the old gentleman is
quite well and strong again," said Elizabeth, rising and folding up her
work, and moving about as if to prevent the chance of more talk.

"Well, I guess so, and then I don't suppose it would amount to much
anything I could say to him. I wouldn't like to say anything to vex or
worry him. He has had a deal of trouble one way and another, since he
came to the place, and it has kind of soured him, but he is always as
sweet as milk to me. You aren't going away, are you, Mr Maxwell?
There, I have tired you all out with my talk, and I've tired myself too.
But don't you hurry away. I'll go and step round a little to get the
fresh air, and then I'll lie down a spell, and rest. And, Lizzie, you