tting room, poked the fire till it
glowed brightly, then the old gentleman sat down, but jerked his head
around quickly as the sound of Jean's retiring crutch fell on his ear.

"Ha, hum; come here little girl;" and his voice sharp and rough,
softened wonderfully; but Jean only lifted her tear-stained pale little
face, for an instant, then vanished; whereupon he pulled out a scarlet
silk handkerchief, and blew his nose fiercely, then turned to Olive as
if he expected to demolish her instantly with the card in his fingers.

"Here girl, take that to your mother and be quick."

Olive took it and unconsciously dropped her eyes to the name--

"ROGER RIDLEY CONGREVE."

Even the old gentleman started as she looked up, for pale as her face
had been before, it was positively ashy now, and her eyes glared at him
like a young lioness at bay. Somewhat amazed the old man rose and
approached her; but she started back, threw the card at his feet, crying
chokingly with a frantic gesture of her hands:

"Go away, go away, don't touch me,--oh, how I hate you!" and vanished
through the door as if she had been shot.

"God bless my soul!" cried the astonished man, dropping into his chair
and apostrophizing the fire with startled energy. "If I ever saw the
like,--where's my snuff-box,--I never did to be sure; streak of
insanity, must be attended to; fine eyes, but ferocious young woman;
hum, ha!--I'll sit here till somebody comes."

A movement of several persons in the room above, would indicate that the
family were gathered there; as indeed they were, sitting around mother,
feeling nearer and dearer than ever in their mutual loss, each one
drying her eyes slowly, as she talked lovingly of the dead, trying to
make them feel as did she, that father was not lost, but just gone home
a little sooner than they. Into this peaceful, loving group came Olive,
with ashy lips, and excited eyes, and a few minutes later, the old
gentleman down stairs, arose from his waiting seat, as the door opened,
and a lady came towards him. Just while she crossed the little distance
lying between them, he scrutinized her, with almost savage intentness,
and his survey ended in a slightly astonished, "humph," as she paused
before him, and bent her head slightly, but with due respect for his
age.

"Mr. Congreve. Will you be seated, sir?"

"Humph! Well, I suppose I will," and down he sat, with more force than
was necessary, perhaps, but then he was excited.