els was heard, and Huldy ran to the window to look out.

"Oh, it's Mr. Sawyer," said she; "and he's got a young lady with him,
and she's got a trunk. I wonder who she is? Do you know, Alice?"

"I don't know who she is," replied Alice; "but I can imagine what she's
here for."

"Is it a secret?" asked Huldy.

"No, not exactly a secret," replied Alice. "It's a business matter. I
have a great many things to be read over to me, and considerable writing
to do, and as Mr. Sawyer is going away, I was obliged to have some one
to help me."

"Well!" said Huldy, "you'll miss Mr. Sawyer when he goes away; I did.
Now you mustn't get jealous, Mr. Pettengill," she said to 'Zekiel; "you
know Mr. Sawyer and I were never in love with each other. That was all
village gossip, started by, you know who, and as for Mr. Sawyer liking
Lindy Putnam, or she liking him, I know better. She's never got over the
loss of her brother Jones, who, it seems, wasn't her real brother, after
all; and Samanthy Green told me the other day that Lindy wanted to marry
him."

"I think matters are getting rather too personal for me," said Uncle
Ike, rising. "I may get drawn into it if I stay any longer. I always
liked Lindy Putnam myself." And the old gentleman laughed heartily as he
left the room.

"Well, I guess you and me'd better be goin', if we want to be home at
dinner time," said 'Zekiel to Huldy. Then, going to his sister, he took
her in his arms and kissed her on the cheek. "You know, Alice," said he,
"that I ain't much of a talker, but I shall never forget how good you've
been to me and Huldy, and if the old house burns down or you get
lonesome, you'll always find the latchstring out up to the new house,
an' there'll be a room, an' board, an' good care for you as long as you
want to stay. Eh, Huldy?" said 'Zekiel, turning to his wife.

"You know, 'Zekiel," replied the impulsive Huldy, "I've said a dozen
times that I wished Alice would come and live with us. Won't you,
Alice?" she added. "I never had a sister, and I think it would be
delightful to have one all to myself, especially," she added archly,
"when I have her brother, too."

"I could never live in that house," said Alice, with a slight shudder;
"besides, I think my future path in life is being marked out for me by
the hand of Fate, which I am powerless to resist. I am afraid that it
will take me away from you, my dear ones; but if it does, I shall always
love you both, and pray for your