tting the best face on a bad affair, after the manner of his class.

"How do you feel, my lad?" inquired the judge, bending over the patient.

"In some pain; but no more than I can very well bear, thank you, sir,"
said Ishmael courteously. But his white and quivering lip betrayed the
extremity of his suffering, and the difficulty he experienced in
speaking at all.

"I must beg, sir, that you will not talk to him; he must be left in
perfect quietness," whispered the doctor.

At this moment old Katie returned with a little light jelly on a plate.
The doctor slowly administered a few teaspoonfuls to his patient, and
then returned the plate to the nurse.

"Miss Claudia ordered me to call her as soon as the young man woke; and
now as his wounds is dressed, and he has had somethin' to eat, I might's
well go call her," suggested Katie.

At the hearing of Claudia's name Ishmael's eyes flew open, and a hectic
spot blazed upon his pale cheek. The doctor, who had his eye upon his
patient, noticed this, as he replied:

"Upon no account! Neither Miss Merlin nor anyone else must be permitted
to enter his room for days to come--not until I give leave. You will see
this obeyed, judge?" he inquired, turning to his host.

"Assuredly," replied the latter.

At these words the color faded from Ishmael's face and the light from
his eyes.

The doctor arose and took leave.

The judge attended him to the door, saw him depart, and was in the act
of turning into his own house when he perceived Reuben Gray approaching.

Judge Merlin paused to wait for his overseer. Reuben Gray came up, took
off his hat, and stood before his employer with the most comical
blending of emotions on his weather-beaten countenance, where joy,
grief, satisfaction, and anxiety seemed to strive for the mastery.

"Well, Gray, what is it?" inquired the judge.

"Please, sir, how is Ishmael?" entreated Reuben, anxiety getting the
upper hand for the moment.

"He is badly hurt, Gray; but doing very well, the doctor says."

"Please, sir, can I see him?"

"Not upon any account for the present; he must be left in perfect quiet.
But why haven't you been up to inquire after him before this?"

"Ah, sir, the state of my wife."

"Oh, yes, I heard she was ill; but did not know that she was so ill as
to prevent your coming to see after your poor boy. I hope she is better
now?"

"Yes, sir, thank Heaven, she is well over it!" said Reuben, satisfaction
now expressed