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Dick stared, and e of it, Nell! Sounds like a play: 'The

Mysterious Stranger and the Village Maiden' Scene one Enter the

stranger: 'My horse is weary; no hu place forhead! Ah! what is this? A

simple child of Nature I will seek direction at her hands' Horse takes

fright; er is thrown Maiden falls on her knees: 'Ah,

Heaven! 'tis he! 'tis he!'"

Nell laughed, but her face crimsoned

"Dick, don't be an idiot, if you can help it I know it is

difficult----"

"Spare your blushes, my child," he retorted blandly "The Mysterious S

will turn out to be a commercial traveler with a wife and seven

children But, Nell, what does mamma say?"

"She likes it," said Nell, with a smile "She is happier and more

interested than I have ever seen her"

Dick struck an attitude and his forehead

"Can it be--oh, can it be that the ro to lose our dear ht----"

"Dick, you are the worst kind of ih to be her son Now, Dick, dry up, and don't make a

noise He is really ill I know it by the way the old doctor srins when the case is serious You'll be quiet, Dick,

dear?"

"This tender solicitude for the sufferer toucheshis eyes "Oh, yes, I'll be quiet, Nell Much as I