ry; but anyhow the poor old fellow seemed rather badly hit."

"And he has married so soon!" in an incredulous tone.

"Of course, caught at the rebound like many other fellows. Don't you
know how the old adage runs, Miss Trafford:

"'Shall I wasting with despaire
Die because a woman's faire?
If she be not faire for me,
What care I how faire she be?'

that is the right sort of spirit, eh, Percy."

"How should I know?" returned Percy, morosely--he was evidently out of
humor about something; and then, as though he feared to bring on
himself one of Erle's jesting; remarks, he roused himself with an
effort. "Well, Toddlekins, how's Flibbertigibbet; come and sit on my
knee, and I will tell you the story of Mr. Harlequin Puss-in-boots."

"My name is not Toddlekins," returned Fluff indignantly, "and I don't
care about Flibbertigibbet or Puss-in-boots; your stories are stupid,
Percy, they never have any end." And then, with the capriciousness of
a spoiled child, she sidled up to her chief favorite, Erle, and put
her hands confidingly in his.

"When are you going to take me again to the Zooelogical Gardens, Mr.
Erle?" she said, in a coaxing voice; "Fern wants to go, too, don't
you, dear?" but her sister shook her head at her with a faint smile,
and went on with her work.

"I don't see my way clear yet awhile, Pussy," replied Erle, as he
smoothed Fluff's curls, and here he and Percy exchanged meaning looks;
for during his grandfather's absence from town Erle had paid frequent
visits to Beulah Place, and on one occasion had actually carried off
the child for a day at the Zooelogical Gardens in spite of Fern's demur
that she hardly knew what her mother would say.

"But surely you can do as you like, Mr. Erle," persisted the chill,
earnestly. "Percy tells us that you are so rich, and ride such
beautiful horses in the park, and that you have nothing to do but just
enjoy yourself; why can't you take Fern and me to the Zooelogical
Gardens?"

"Oh, Fluff, Fluff!" remonstrated her sister, in a distressed tone,
"what will Mr. Erle think of you?"

Erle looked embarrassed at the child's speech, but Percy laughed, and
the next minute he rose.

"Do you mind if I leave you for a few minutes, Fern? I have a little
business that will take me about a quarter of an hour--oh, I will be
back in time," as Erle seemed inclined to remonstrate; "you may depend
upon it that I will not make you late for dinner, as la Belle Evelyn
is