leave-taking.

Every one, except Cora Haught, shook hands warmly with Rose Stillwater.
Mrs. Rockharrt embraced and kissed her fondly, and renewed and pressed
her invitation to the beauty to come and make a long visit.

Rose put her arms around the old lady's neck and clung to her, and, with
tearful eyes and trembling tones and loving words, assured her that she
would fly to Rockhold on the first possible opportunity, and, after many
caresses, she reluctantly turned away and went toward Cora.

The girl had lowered her blue veil, and tied it mask-like over her face,
in a way that women often do, but which Cora never did, except on this
occasion, when she wished to evade the sure to be offered kiss of Rose
Stillwater.

But Rose embraced her strongly and kissed her through the veil,
endearments which the young girl could not repel without attracting
attention, but which she only endured and did not return.

The party reached Rockhold on the evening of the second day's travel.

Old Aaron Rockharrt found himself so weary of traveling that he
announced his intention of remaining in Rockhold for the entire winter,
nor leaving it even to go to his town house for a few weeks during the
session of the legislature.

Cora was disappointed. She longed to go to Washington for the season--to
go into company, to go to balls and parties, concerts and operas, to
see new people and make new friends, perhaps to attract new admirers;
and as she was now nineteen years of age, she need not be too severely
criticised for so natural an aspiration.

Mr. Fabian was the most zealous and active member of the firm. He would
go to North End and stay two days at a time to be near his scene of
duty.

Time passed, but Rose Stillwater did not make her promised visit.

Old Aaron often referred to it, and worried his wife to write to her and
remind her of her promise. The old lady always complied with her
husband's requirements, and wrote pressing letters; but the beauty
always wrote back excusing herself on the ground of "the captain's" many
engagements, which confined him to the ship and her to his side.

So time passed, and nearly another year went by. The Rockharrts were
still at Rockhold.

A political crisis was at hand--the election for the State legislature.

The candidate for representative of the liberal party in that election
district was Regulas Rothsay.

The election day came at length, as anxious a day for Cora Haught as for