mulation brought a reaction of brighter views,
however. Mrs. Dewey's old-fashioned drubbing held the mirror so that I
could behold a life-sized burro every time I looked into it. There never
can be any use for a middleman, before or after the marriage contract,
thought I. Shame took the place of conceit; my pride was humbled and
fear was swept away. I mended with amazing rapidity under the earnest
eloquence of that short sermon, delivered by a woman with a broom.

CHAPTER XVIII

Four of the happiest weeks of their lives, Gabrielle and Jim spent with
the Gibsons in their Produce Exchange tower, far out of the way of
enemies, if any there might be in pursuit. Gabrielle had confided in
Mrs. Gibson, and was urged by her to bring Jim there to convalesce, as
the doctor said he ought not to walk much for two or three months. The
lovers were delighted to transfer their trysting place to those romantic
quarters--a castle tower in the heart of New York, surrounded by a
harbor moat, and an elevator which served well the purpose of a bridge
leading to the portcullis of the upper floors. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, and
their daughter, the winsome Nellie, were delighted to have them as
visitors, and entered into their defense against the cruel father and
his co-conspirators, the faithless chum and the unfeeling world in
general, with hearty warmth, cheering Gabrielle and filling the soul of
Jim with heavenly contentment. There he had met his darling and the
spot would be sacred to him always; it was doubly blessed when her sweet
voice sounded near him within its walls, and her tender glances drew
fond response from his eyes. On the floors below they sold grain and
bulletined the price of tallow at "five and one-half cents for city";
but in the far-away tower the din of the wheat pit was not heard. From
the round windows the ships of commerce appeared to ride the tide
care-free as the darting gulls that dived for their prey or swung on
resting wings in broad circles from shore to shore. Dreams fairer than
those lovers pictured in quiet ecstasy have never been outlined by brush
or melodious line. Just a little cube of heaven had been caught from the
realms of bliss, and they dwelt together there for four weeks.

Now, four weeks in heaven is a very brief period. Whole eternities pass
there in what seems to be an interval too brief to record on Cupid's
chronometer. Joy in my lady's tower, traveling with swift, winged feet,
marks not t