An hour later Leslie returned from his cigar to find the Pullman in order, and the refreshed occupants enjoying the books and papers scattered about. It was not possible to mistake the owner of the hand and foot, whom a glance revealed in her corner, looking quietly upon the hurrying villages and farms. A coquettish hat rested lightly upon a fluffy mass of golden brown hair, a dainty tailored suit fitted closely the rounded figure, and the face that looked out of the window was sweet and bright even in repose. The coveted hand, in spotless kid, shielded the earnest eyes from the glare of the morning sun, and all in all, the picture was one to tempt any looker-on. 

 Just as Hervey Leslie was puzzling his brain for a pretext, however flimsy, to introduce himself, a lady came from the dressing-room and sat down beside the beautiful unknown—a lady still young and handsome, and so closely resembling the girl as to leave no doubt that they were mother and daughter. 

 "What has Charlie done with himself?" was the pleasant question, met with a smile so  [pg 51]                   bewitching that the watcher was hopelessly ensnared. 

[pg 51]

 "So, there's a party of them," he mused. "And who the deuce is Charlie?" 

 But when that youth appeared he proved to be only a brother, and not a very big brother, at that. 

 Settling himself back in a corner from whence he could use his eyes and ears as he dared, young Leslie drew forth a letter which he perused with interest; in fact, he already knew it by heart. It ran thus: 

   "MY DEAR SON, 

   "Congratulate me. The all-important day is fixed for the 24th inst. Come at once. Mrs. Dana is anxious to cultivate you, and my own impatience is an old story. 

   "Your affectionate father, 

   "H.J. LESLIE." 

 "Confound Mrs, Dana!" was the son's comment, for upon the subject of his father's second marriage he was distinctly undutiful. 

 For a while he lost himself in pictures of the new home, and mentally resolved to absent himself as much as possible. He knew how his opposition was grieving his father, who thought him most unreasonable: but he persisted in refusing to see the lady until after the ceremony. 

 [pg 52] 

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