Dr. Lavendar's People

queer.... A "travelling-man," to begin with-and the Gordons had a line of scholars and professional men behind them-a drummer, if you please. In theory, Old Chester was religiously democ

Mary Gordon should marry

" said Ol

inexplainable; for Mary was a nice girl-not, of course, of the caliber of some Old Chester girls; she had not the mind of Alice Gray nor the conscience of Sally Smith; but she was a quiet, biddable, good child-at least so far as anybody knew. But nobody knew much about her. In the first place, the Gordons lived just far enough out of Old Chester to miss its neighborliness. Mary was not often seen in town, and in her own home her brother Alex's loud personality crushed her into a colorless silence. Her father did not crush her-he merely did not notice her; but he was fond of her-at least he had the habit of indifferent affection. She always came into the library to say good-night to him; and he, sitting by the fire in a big, winged chair, a purple silk handkerchief spread ov

AME INTO THE

IGHT T

nd mortification he took all Old Chester into his confidence. He went to the Tavern-this was the day after Mary had, trembling and crying, to

Algy. "This town doesn't

s Miss Gordon again, I'll-I'll-I'll horsewhip you," he

k, a- Well, Old Chester was never able to quote Alex. He came to his senses after this dreadful exhibition of himself, and was horribly mortified. But post-mortification c

love's love, whether it's suitable or not; and Mary has such a lonel

p into her shell to brood over her blighted hopes. Once she was downright sick for a week, and Mr. Gordon sent for Willi

she has just got to understand that we'll never allow it, Willy. You

thoughtful and said

er;" that was all there was to it. But the lover never appeared, being engaged in offering samples of pom

vendar, Mary Gordon to Algernon Keen"-a

f you please, and drive away with the Person. What did it mean? "Was Alex at home? Did he consent?" demanded Old Chester; for Alex had been away from home for a week. By noon it was

ling and stumbling, with a furtive look over his shoulder, for Alex Gordon walked behind him t

raid the feller'd run away from him. But the feller, he stopped right at the steps, and he turned around, and he says, 'Mind you

er Mary Gordon's wedding. And it nat

it very much?" ventured Mr

en anxious about her soul and found it necessary to consult Dr. Lavendar as to the unpardonable sin-Mrs. Drayton was not so easily squelched.

nto the house by the e

s it all so sudden?" said Mr

it was sudden?" s

my Jean

"possibly Mary had not taken Jean into her confiden

ell, I only hope she won't repent at her leisure;-if there'

r question about the unpardonable sin, ma'am, why, just be ready to forgive

am King going up to see the invalid, and said, with a gasp: "Willy, my boy, a goo

r have a patient with small-pox than tre

distress of a sensitive temperament. "Even the slightest error fills me with remorse," said Mrs. Drayton. "Dea