e hour of her first meeting with him in front of
Hamlin's book shop to that of his self-immolation to save her from
death. Claudia spoke with deep feeling. As she concluded her bosom was
heaving, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes tearful with emotion.

"And now, papa," she said, as she finished her narrative, "you will
understand why it is that I cannot, must not, will not, neglect him! As
soon as he can bear visitors I must be admitted to his room, to do for
him all that a young sister might do for her brother; no one could
reasonably cavil at that. Papa, Ishmael believes in me more than anyone
else in the world does. He thinks more highly of me than others do. He
knows that there is something better in me than this mere outside beauty
that others praise so foolishly. And I would not like to lose his good
opinion, papa. I could not bear to have him think me cold, selfish, or
ungrateful. So I must and I will help to nurse him."

"Miss Merlin, you have grown up very much as my trees have, with every
natural eccentricity of growth untrimmed; but I hope you will not let
your branches trail upon the earth."

"What do you mean, papa?"

"I hope you do not mean to play Catherine to this boy's Huon in a new
version of the drama of 'Love; or, The Countess and the Serf!"

"Papa! how can you say such things to your motherless daughter! You know
that I would die first!" exclaimed the imperious girl indignantly, as
she bounced up and flung herself into a passion and out of the room. She
left the door wide open; but had scarcely disappeared before her place
in the doorway was filled up by the tall, gaunt figure, gray head, and
smiling face of Reuben.

"Well, Gray?"

"Well, sir, I have brought the farm books all made up to the first of
this month, sir," said the overseer, laying the volumes on the table
before his master.

"And very neatly and accurately done, too," remarked the judge, as he
turned over the pages and examined the items. "It is not your
handwriting, Gray?"

"Dear, no, sir! not likely!"

"Nor little Kitty's?"

"Why, law, sir! little Kitty has been in Californy a year or more! How
did you like the 'rangement of your liber-airy, sir?" inquired Gray,
with apparent irrelevance, as he glanced around upon the book-lined
walls.

"Very much, indeed, Gray! I never had my books so well classified. It
was the work of young Ramsey, the schoolmaster, I suppose, and furnished
him with employment during the midsumm