tie, adding, as her thoughts
reverted to Miss Kling, "I think, after all, a Bohemian is better than a
perfect model of conventionalism!"

Miss Archer heartily indorsed this sentiment, and Quimby went in quest
of Mr. Norton, with whom he soon returned.

Unlike enough to the melancholy artist of romantic fame was Mr. Norton.
Short, rather stout, inclined to be red in the face, large-nosed,
scrupulously neat in dress, clean shaven, and closely-cropped hair--all
this the observing Miss Archer saw at a glance as she bowed to him in
response to Quimby's introduction. But the second glance showed her that
the expression of his face was so jovial that its plainness vanished as
if by magic on his first smile.

If Nattie, possibly a trifle prejudiced in his disfavor, expected him to
outrage common propriety in some way, such as keeping on his hat,
smoking a black pipe, or turning up his pantaloons leg, she was
utterly--shall we say disappointed? Truth to tell, before ten minutes
had elapsed from the time of his arrival, she was wishing she knew more
"Bohemians," and even hoping "C" was one!

At home as soon as he entered the room, in a very short time the
strangers of a moment ago were his life-long friends. Full of anecdotes
and quaint remarks, he was the life of the little party. Miss Archer,
however, was a very able backer--Cyn, as they all found themselves
calling her soon after Jo Norton's advent, and forevermore.

"Cyn was," as its owner said, "short" for the samewhat lofty name of
Cynthia.

Doubtless, the fact of these two, who were partners, beating nearly
every game they played, was not without its effect in promoting their
most genial feelings. A result brought about, not so much by their
skill, as by Quimby's perpetually forgetting what was trumps,
confounding the right and left bowers, and disregarding the power of the
joker.

And in truth Quimby's mind was more on his partner than on the game, and
he was becoming more and more awake to the fact that his heart was fast
filling with admiration and adoration of which she was the object, and
inevitably must soon overflow! For Nattie was really looking her very
best this evening. It was excitement and animation that her face
depended upon for its beauty. Miss Archer's companionship, too, was
doing much towards promoting the cheerfulness that brought so clear a
light to her eyes--the light that was now dazzling Quimby. For Cyn was
one of those people who live alwa