after so arduous an expedition. Mr. Gusher
was thereupon shown to his room, and left to his own contemplations. In
truth, he was glad enough to escape in this way from a continuation of
this fussy woman's compliments. He had, however, created in his mind a
beautiful picture of Mattie, with oval face, fair complexion, soft blue
eyes, flowing golden hair, and a form that Diana might have envied, and
a voice so sweet in song. As to her parents, they knew nothing of him,
(perhaps it was well they did not); and he knew nothing of them. There
was a mystery overhanging the means by which he had been brought in
contact with these peculiar people. But the more he revolved the
beautiful picture of Mattie over in his mind the more his anxiety to see
her increased.

Mr. Gusher rested for two hours, and then re-appeared in the parlor, so
exquisitely dressed and made up. Every hair on his head seemed to have
been curled so exactly. The gentleman had evidently taken great pains to
get himself up in a style that should be faultless. I may mention, also,
that Mr. Gusher regarded himself as a very valuable ornament in the
atmosphere of fashionable society--just such a nice young man as an
ambitious woman just setting up in society would require at least a
dozen of to make her first reception a success.

Mrs. Chapman and Mattie were already in the parlor, waiting to receive
Mr. Gusher, "My dear sir!" exclaimed Mrs. Chapman; "you are looking so
much improved. I hope you are rested? And now, sir, allow me to present
you to my daughter--Miss Mattie, my only daughter. This is Mr. Gusher,
my daughter. You have heard me speak of Mr. Gusher so often." Mattie
blushed and looked confused, then courtesied in a cold and formal
manner.

"I am so glad to make you my compliments," said Mr. Gusher, making one
of his best bows, and moving backward with a shuffling motion, "I am so
glad to make you my friend," he continued, bowing and placing his right
hand on his heart. Mattie's beauty was quite up to the picture Mr.
Gusher had drawn of it in his imagination. But her manner was so cold
and formal that it not only disappointed but annoyed him. Instead of an
ardent, impressible, romantic and even demonstrative girl, bubbling over
with warmth and vivacity, here she was, as cold and formal as a charity
school matron of forty summers.

"I hope, sir, that you will find your visit to Nyack pleasant," she
replied, tossing her long, golden curls bewitchingly