never mention Miss Claudia Merlin's name
before Ishmael."

"Law! why?" inquired Gray.

"Because I want him to forget her."

"But why so?"

"Oh, Reuben, how dull you are! Well, if I must tell you, he likes her."

"Well, so do I! and so do everyone!" said honest Reuben.

"But he likes her too well! he loves her, Reuben!"

"What! Ishmael love Judge Merlin's daughter! L-a-w! Why I should as soon
think of falling in love with a royal princess!" exclaimed the honest
man, in extreme astonishment.

"Reuben, hush! I hate to speak of it; but it is true. Pray, never let
him know that we even suspect the truth; and be careful not to mention
her name in his presence. I can see that he is struggling to conquer his
feelings; but he can never do it while you continue to ding her name
into his ears foreverlasting."

"I'll be mum! Ishmael in love with Miss Merlin! I should as soon
suspicion him of being in love with the Queen of Spain! Good gracious!
how angry she'd be if she knew it."

After this conversation Reuben Gray was very careful to avoid all
mention of Claudia Merlin in the hearing of Ishmael.

The month of August was drawing to a close. Ishmael had not once set
eyes on Claudia, though he had chanced to see the judge on horseback at
a distance several times. Ishmael busied himself in seeking out a room
in the neighborhood, in which to open a school on the first of
September. He had not as yet succeeded in his object, when one day an
accident occurred that, as he used it, had a signal effect on his future
life.

It was a rather cool morning in the latter part of August when he, after
spending an hour or two of work in the garden, dressed himself in his
best clothes and set off to walk to Rushy Shore farm, where he heard
there was a small schoolhouse ready furnished with rough benches and
desks, to be had at low rent. His road lay along the high banks of the
river, above the sands. He had gone about a mile on his way when he
heard the sound of carriage wheels behind him, and in a few minutes
caught a glimpse of an open barouche, drawn by a pair of fine, spirited
gray horses, as it flashed by him. Quickly as the carriage passed, he
recognized in the distinguished looking young lady seated within
it--Claudia!--recognized her with an electric shock that thrilled his
whole being, paralyzed him where he stood and bound him to the spot! He
gazed after the flying vehicle until it vanished from his sight. Then he
sank dow