Jimmie was not in a very social mood that day; the house was very lonely without Annie, and the young man did nothing but walk from one window to another, looking always in the direction of Widow Simms’, and scarcely heeding at all what either his mother or sister were saying to him. When it began to grow dark, and he heard Rose speak of sending the carriage for Annie as she had promised to do, he said:
“I ought to see Mrs. Simms myself to-night, and know if everything is in readiness for to-morrow. I will go for Mrs. Graham, and Rose,—don’t order the carriage,—there is a fine moon, and she,—that is,—I would rather walk.”
Jimmie spoke hurriedly, and something in his manner betrayed to Rose the reason why he preferred to walk.
“Oh, Jimmie!” she exclaimed, “I’m so glad; tell her so for me
