et answered, with a pleased
look, "but haven't I a right to make a little present now and then to the
children who call me mamma?"

Max's face brightened.

"Yes, ma'am, I suppose so," he said. "Thank you; I'll take it willingly
enough if it isn't pay, and I'm very proud to be trusted to buy something
for you."

Edward was helping Zoe into the saddle as Max came hurrying out.

"Take good care of her, Max," he said, "I'm trusting you and Tom there
with my chiefest treasure."

"I'll do my best," Max said, mounting his pony, which Tom the colored boy
was holding.

"Me, too, Marse Ed'ard, dere shan't nuffin hurt Miss Zoe," added the
latter, giving Max the bridle, then mounting a third horse and falling
behind the others as they cantered down the avenue.

A little beyond the gate the family carriage passed them, Mr. Dinsmore and
a strange gentleman inside.

"Company," remarked Zoe. "I wonder who he is, and if he's come to stay any
time? I think grandpa drove into the city in season to meet the afternoon
train."

"Yes, I know he did," said Max.

Max had now learned to ride quite well, and felt himself very nearly a man
as he escorted Zoe to the village, and, arrived there, went with her from
store to store, executed Violet's commission, then having assisted Zoe
into the saddle remounted, and returned with her to Ion.

It was very near the tea hour when they reached home. Zoe went directly to
her own apartments to change her dress, but Max, without even waiting to
take off his overcoat, hastened into the parlor to hand the crochet needle
to Violet.

The ladies were all there, Rosie, too, and Mr. Dinsmore, and an elderly
gentleman, whom Max at once recognized as the one he had seen in the
carriage that afternoon.

He shook hands very kindly with the boy as Mr. Dinsmore introduced them,
"Cousin Ronald this is Max Raymond--Mr. Lilburn, Max."

"Ah ha, ah ha! um, h'm! ah ha! A fine-looking lad," Mr. Lilburn said,
still holding the boy's hand in a kindly grasp, and gazing with evident
interest into the bright young face. "I trust you and I are going to be
good friends, Max. I'm no so young myself as I once was, but I like the
company of the blithe young lads and lasses."

"Thank you, sir," said Max, coloring with pleasure. "Rosie says you tell
splendid stories about Wallace and the Bruce and Robin Hood and his merry
men; and I know I shall enjoy them ever so much."

As he finished his sentence Max colored more de