ho was its sole
passenger, and whose eyes had been sparkling with mirth but an instant
before, now threw her hands up to her face, fell back in her seat, and
burst into a tempest of sobs and tears.

Ignorant of what was going on within its curtained inclosure, Ishmael
remained standing and gazing after the vanishing carriage, which was
quickly lost to view in the deep shadows of the forest road, until Judge
Merlin, who at the last moment had decided to travel on horseback, rode
up to take leave of him and follow the carriage.

"Well, good-by, my young friend! Take care of yourself," were the last
adieus of the judge, as he shook hands with Ishmael, and rode away.

"I wish you a pleasant journey, sir," were the final words of Ishmael,
sent after the galloping horse.

Then the young man, with desolation in his heart, turned into the house
to set the library in order, lock it up, and remove his own few personal
effects from the premises.

Reuben Gray, who had come up to assist the judge, receive his final
orders, and see him off, waited outside with his light wagon to take
Ishmael and his luggage home to Woodside. Reuben helped Ishmael to
transfer his books, clothing, etc., to the little wagon. And then
Ishmael, after having taken leave of Aunt Katie, and left a small
present in her hand, jumped into his seat and was driven off by Reuben.

The arrangement at Tanglewood had occupied nearly the whole of the short
winter forenoon, so that it was twelve o'clock meridian when they
reached Woodside.

They found a very comfortable sitting room awaiting them. Reuben in the
pride of paternity had refurnished it. There was a warm red carpet on
the floor; warm red curtains at the windows; a bright fire burning in
the fireplace; a neat dinner-table set out, and, best of all, Hannah
seated in a low rocking chair, with one rosy babe on her lap and another
in the soft, white cradle bed by her side. Hannah laid the baby she held
beside its brother in the cradle, and arose and went to Ishmael, warmly
welcoming him home again, saying:

"Oh, my dear boy, I am so glad you have come back! I will make you
happier with us, lad, than you have ever been before."

"You have always been very good to me, Aunt Hannah," said Ishmael
warmly, returning her embrace.

"No, I haven't, Ishmael, no, I haven't, my boy; but I will be. Sally,
bring in the fish directly. You know very well that Ishmael don't like
rock-fish boiled too much," she said b