ul. Does
Canfield afford a livery stable, Olive? If so, I will get a buggy in the
morning, and you shall pilot me around the country."

Kat sent an expressive wink and nod of her head to Kittie and Bea, while
Olive answered:

"There is a small one, I believe, where you might find something."

"Perhaps they'd loan you their wheel-barrow," added Kat, who found
herself in a fair way of liking this distant relative, in spite of his
usurping what she termed the family position.

So next morning Roger went down town, and came back in a rather
dilapidated buggy, with a lamb-like looking horse, and said with a
laugh, as he helped Olive in:

"The very best your city affords; I hope it will not break with us, for
my life is not insured."

"My mind's eye rests lovingly on Congreve Hall, as presided over by my
artistic sister," cried Kat, with a dramatic gesture, as they drove off;
and the next moment she was looking after them with a touch of regretful
sadness in her face.

"I don't like it," she said. "Bea gone, Olive going, Jean way off,
Ernestine so changed;--oh, Kittie! when anything happens to you, I will
be ruined for sure. You don't think you are going to fall in love, or be
sick, or go away, or anything; do you?"

"Nonsense," said Kittie, but gave an expressive hug that was soothing
and satisfactory, and set Kat's heart at rest.

The ride in that clear morning air, brought a warm stain of color into
Olive's clear cheeks, and a sparkle to her eyes, that was very becoming;
and she laughed and talked, in a careless, happy way, that left no doubt
in her companion's mind as to her perfect ignorance of his love, and
made him more determined not to return to Virginia, leaving her in
ignorance.

It was difficult to approach the subject, while her mind was so far away
from it, and his perfect assurance as to her answer made it still harder
for him. But Olive unconsciously led the way at last, for she was
talking of their trip home, and dwelling gratefully on his care and
kindness, her eyes bright with feeling, as she turned them to him
suddenly:

"You have helped me through it all," she said. "I wish I could thank you
for all your thoughtful kindness."

They were rolling lazily around a hill, with autumn colors on every
side, and autumn's soft winds fanning the air into life, and Olive
thought the answer she received was some deceptive flutter of their
wings.

"Do not try," he was saying. "Every care or anxiety yo