entered the yard, which a hedge
separated from the road. The cock crew a welcome to the stranger, and
led his household from the sand-bath into the sunshine near the barn.

"This is a cool, inviting little spot," said the millionaire, as he
pointed to the shade of the walnut-tree. "No doubt you often sit here
and read?"

"Yes, Mr. Seraphin; but the dirty chickens have scattered dust all over
the bench and table. Wait a minute, you'll get your clothes dusty."

She hurried into the house. His eyes followed her receding form, his
ears kept listening for her departing steps, he heard the opening and
closing of doors: presently she reappeared, dusted the bench and table
with a brush, and spread a white cloth over the table. Seraphin looked
on with a smile.

"I do not wish to be troublesome, Mechtild!"

"It is no trouble, Mr. Seraphin! Sit down, now, and rest yourself. I am
so sorry father and mother are not at home. They will be ever so glad
to hear that you have honored us with a visit."

"Is nobody at home?"

"Father is in town, and mother is at work with the children in the
harvest field."

"Are you not afraid to stay here by yourself?"

"What should I be afraid of? There are no ghosts in daytime," she said
with a bewitching archness; "and as for thieves, they never expect to
find anything worth having at our house."

She was standing on the other side of the table, looking at him with a
beautiful smile.

"Won't you have a seat on this bench?" said he, making room for her.
"You need rest more than I do. You have been working, and I am merely
an idle stroller. Do take a seat, Mechtild."

"Thank you, Mr. Seraphin--I could not think of doing so! It would not
be becoming," she answered with some confusion.

"Why not becoming?"

"Because you are a gentleman, and I am only a poor girl."

"Your objection on the score of propriety is not worth anything. Oblige
me by doing what I ask of you."

"I will do so, Mr. Seraphin, since you insist upon it, but after a
while. I would like to offer you some refreshments beforehand, if you
will allow me."

"With pleasure," he said, nodding assent.

A second time she hurried away to the house, whilst he kept listening
to her footsteps. The extraordinary neatness and cleanliness which
could be seen everywhere about the little homestead did not escape his
observation. On all sides he fancied he saw the work of Mechtild. The
purity of her spirit, which beamed so mildly fr