t appears to me that your native place would be the last spot on earth
where you, with your talents, would consent to remain," said the judge
significantly.

"I have a reason--a sacred reason, sir," replied Ishmael earnestly, yet
with some reserve in his manner.

"A reason 'with which the stranger intermeddleth not,' I suppose?"

Ishmael bowed gravely, in assent.

"Very well, my young friend; I will not inquire what it may be," said
Judge Merlin, who was busying himself at his writing bureau, among some
papers, from which he selected one, which he brought forward to the
youth, saying:

"Here, Ishmael--here is a memorandum of your services, which I have
taken care to keep; for I knew full well that if I waited for you to
present me a bill, I might wait forever. You will learn to do such
things, however, in time. Now I find by my memorandum that I owe you
about sixty dollars. Here is the money. There, now, do not draw back and
flush all over your face at the idea of taking money you have well
earned. Oh, but you will get over that in time, and when you are a
lawyer you will hold out your hand for a thumping fee before you give an
opinion on a case!" laughed the judge, as he forced a roll of banknotes
into Ishmael's hands, and left the library.

The remainder of the day was spent in sending off wagon loads of boxes
to the landing on the river side, where they were taken off by a
rowboat, and conveyed on board the "Canvas Back," that lay at anchor
opposite Tanglewood, waiting for the freight, to transport it to the
city.

On the following Saturday morning the judge and his daughter left
Tanglewood for Washington. They traveled in the private carriage, driven
by the heroic Sam, and attended by a mounted groom. The parting, which
shook Ishmael's whole nature like a storm, nearly rending soul and body
asunder, seemed to have but little effect upon Miss Merlin. She went
through it with great decorum, shaking hands with Ishmael, wishing him
success, and hoping to see him, some fine day, on the bench!

This Claudia said laughing, as with good-humored raillery.

But Ishmael bowed very gravely, and though his heart was breaking,
answered calmly:

"I hope so too, Miss Merlin. We shall see."

"Au revoir!" said Claudia, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Until we meet!" answered Ishmael solemnly, as he closed the carriage
door and gave the coachman the word to drive off.

As the carriage rolled away the beautiful girl, w