got fur to go to Pendleton first." Howsoever, I'll fix it
afore night."

Fanny looked rather grave.

"'Tween you an' me, I'm sorry fur tu disappoint you, Fanny, but the
Honey would be wuss disappointed if I did not post her letter."

"Yours too, Daddy, you musn't forget it," said Fanny thoughtfully.

Notwithstanding Fanny's exhortation Daddy actually forgot both
letters, having neglected to take them from his pocket when he changed
his coat, Imagine then his consternation, when, having arrived at the
post-office and rummaged his pockets in vain he discovered his
mistake.

At this critical juncture young Sherman and Dr. Goodrich, arm in arm,
happened to drop in at the office, and Daddy, for reasons of his own,
pounced upon the latter and held him fast. "Doctor," said he, "'tween
you an' me, was you a going fur tu see the Honey to-day? She was took
very poorly last night. I was afeared she was clean gone one spell."

"Did Miss DeWolf send for me, Daddy?" said the doctor uneasily
regarding the grip that the old man had fastened upon his coat sleeve.

"Why no, doctor; she sent me fur to mail some important letters, and I
actually left 'em at home in my tother coat. One of 'em was fur to go
tu Miss Tinknor; 'tween you an me the Honey is mighty fond of Miss
Tinknor. I'm kinder calculatin the old lady will be the Honey's
mother-in-law some day."

The start which Edward gave at this announcement was perceptible to
both Daddy and the doctor. The former, not relishing such a
demonstration of interest from so questionable a source, inwardly
resolved to put to flight the false hopes by which he imagined the
young man was agitated. Casting a side long glance at his intended
victim he added, "Mr. Tom is a very uncommon fine young man; he is
stidy; he never drinks nothin. The Honey has know'd him allers; they
played together when they was children and has allers been uncommon
attached. Tom particularly requested me fur tu take good care of her
while he was gone, and I ain't no doubt if the good Lord was fur tu
take her away it would nigh about break his heart."

The doctor, conscious that Edward did not relish the subject, and
anxious himself to terminate the interview, waved the matter, simply
saying, "I shall be going that way by-and-by, Daddy, and will call
upon Miss DeWolf if I have time."

On this assurance Daddy's grasp readily relaxed, and his prisoner,
taking advantage of this favorable symptom, made his escape.