ed times; bestowing their affections, such as they are, sometimes on
one, sometimes on another; until at last perhaps the owner of a handsome
face offers his hand and gets in return the tattered thing they call their
heart. God help me! this is called _love_. But thank God, for the credit
of human nature, there are others who love as they should--purely, nobly,
with their whole soul. These love once, and only once; and wo to the man
who unwisely, or for his own selfish ends, crosses them! The sin of a
broken heart too often lies at his door. Jacob, you're an old man; but you
are not too old to have forgotten the wife who once was yours. You loved
her well, my dear old fellow, I know it,' said he, taking his hand. 'She
deserved it too. Kate is very like her. What would have been your feelings
had any one stepped in between you and her?'

Rhoneland grew very pale, and the tears came in his eyes.

'Come, come, Jacob, I'll not press the matter now; but you must reflect on
what I've said; and you must not forget how much Kate has at stake. Ned's
a glorious fellow, and will make your house very cheery.'

'Well, I'll think of it,' replied Rhoneland, after a short pause.

'_Do_; that's a good fellow. I'll consider it a personal favor; and I _do_
think you owe me something for the pains I've taken in aiding to rid you
of that rascal, Rust.'

'I do indeed owe you much,' replied Rhoneland, earnestly, 'and I am
sincerely grateful.'

'Well, well, we wont speak of that; only reflect on what I have just said;
and by the way,' added he, rising to go, 'you must oblige me in another
matter. Two or three friends are to dine with me to-morrow; you and Kate
must be of the party.'

'We will,' was the reply.

'Good! Now go up stairs and comfort Kate.'

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.

A bright glowing day was the following one, the day of the dinner party;
and right gladly did the golden sun beam out from the deep fathomless sky,
as if from his lofty look-out he were aware of what was going on in this
world below, and rejoiced in the failure of the evil machinations which
had been so long disturbing the tranquillity of the worthy individuals who
have figured in this history. And fortunate it was that neither clouds nor
rain obscured his face, for had the latter been added to the cares which
the approaching dinner-party had already accumulated upon the culinary
department of Harson's household, the house-keeper in the tall cap with
stiff rib