ducking his head, unslung
the pack, and without further ceremony opened it.

A tempting array of stuffs and ribbons, pencils, pinchbeck jewels and
thimbles, scissors and knives, immediately became visible; with many
other things which it is not necessary for us to specify. The
pedlar called attention to them by pointing admiringly at each, and
recommended them by muttering broken English over them.

With that propensity of young ladies to handle and examine all
articles which concern themselves with personal adornment, Fanny and
Redbud, though they really wanted nothing, turned over everything in
the pack. But little resulted therefrom for the pedlar. He did not
succeed in persuading Redbud to buy a beautiful dress pattern, with
dahlias and hollyhocks, in their natural size and colors; and was
equally unsuccessful with Fanny, who obstinately declined to
reduce into her possession a lovely lace cap, such as our dear
old grandmamas' portraits show us--though this description may be
incorrect, as Fanny always said that the article in question was a
night-cap.

Disappointed in this, the pedlar brought out his minor "articles;" and
here he was more successful. Mr. Ashley bought sufficiently for his
young lady friends at the seminary, he said, and Redbud and Fanny both
purchased little things.

Fanny bought the most splendid glass breastpin, which she pretended,
with a merry laugh, to admire "to distraction." Redbud, without
knowing very well why, bought a little red coral necklace, which
looked bright and new, and rattled merrily as she took it; for some
reason the pedlar parted with it for a very small sum, and then
somewhat hastily packed up his goods, and ducking his head in thanks,
went on his way.

"Look what a very handsome breastpin I have!" said Fanny, as they
returned through the garden; "I'm sure nobody would know that it is
not a diamond."

"You are right," said Mr. Ashley, smiling, "the world is given to
judging almost wholly from outward appearances. And what did you
purchase, Miss Summers--or Miss Redbud, if you will permit me--"

"Oh, yes, sir," said Redbud, looking at him with her kind, sad eyes,
"you need'nt be ceremonious with _me_. Besides, you're Fanny's cousin.
I bought this necklace--I thought it old-fashioned and pretty."

Redbud was silent again, her eyes bent quietly upon the walk, the long
lashes reposing thus upon the tender little cheeks.

"Old-fashioned and pretty," said the young ma