"I am very sure father will not keep him," declared the girl,
looking at Hiram thoughtfully. "He is too careless--and I don't
like him, anyway. Do you live around here?"

"I expect to," replied Hiram, smiling. "I have just come. I am
going to stay at this next house, along the road."

"Oh! where the old gentleman died last week?"

"Yes. Mrs. Atterson was left the place by her uncle, and I am
going to run it for her."

"Oh, dear! then you've got a place to work?" queried the little
lady, with plain disappointment in her tone. "I am sure father
would like to have you instead of Peter."

But Hiram shook his head slowly, though still smiling,

"I'm obliged to you," he said; "but I have agreed to stop with
Mrs. Atterson for a time."

"I want father to meet you just the same," she declared.

She had a way about her that impressed Hiram with the idea that
she seldom failed in getting what she wanted. If she was not a
spoiled child, she certainly was a very much indulged one.

But she was pretty! Dark, petite, with a brilliant smile,
flashing eyes, and a riot of blue-black curls, she was verily the