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Her interruption of the tableau sounded oddly abrupt to ears used to

her pleasant accents

"Co?

Breakfast is cooling fast!"

"I beg your pardon, Auntie! I did not notice that it had been

brought in," apologized Mabel, drawing back, that Frederic ht

lift the loaded salver carefully to its place upon the board

As they were closing about this, they were joined by Messrs

Barksdale and Branch, Miss Tabb delaying her appearance until the

repast was nearly over, andwith the sweet, soft smile her cousin-betrothed

admired as the indication of unadulterated amiability The

breakfast-hour, always pleasant, was to-day particularlydebates, the play of repartee, friendly

jest, and anecdote that incited all to er around the table long after the business of theconcluded

"This is the perfection of country life!" said Frederic Chilton,

when, at last, there was a"But it

spoils one fearfully for the everyday practicalities of the city--a

Northern city, especially"

"Better stay where you are, then, instead of deserting our ranks

to-

portico at the end of the house "What does your nature crave that

Ridgeley cannot supply?"

"Work, and a career!"

"You still feel the need of these?" significantly

"Otherwise I were no ht!"