“I don’t understand you,” said ’Lena, and her cousin continued; “Why, when Mabel first came here, I do not think she knew what mother was fishing for, so she was not so much at fault, but she does now——­”

“Are you sure?” interrupted ’Lena, and John Jr. replied, “She’s a confounded fool if she don’t.  And what provokes me, is to think she’ll still keep staying here, when modesty, if nothing else, should prompt her to leave.  You wouldn’t catch Nellie doing so.  Why, she’ll hardly come her at all, for fear folks will say she comes to see me, and that’s why I like her so well.”

“I think you are mistaken with regard to Mabel,” said Lena, “for I’ve no idea she’s in love with you a bit more than I am.  I dare say she likes you well enough, for there’s nothing in you to dislike.”

“Thank you,” interrupted John Jr., returning the compliment with a kiss, a liberty he often took with her.

“Behave, can’t you?” said ’Lena, at the same time continuing—­“No, I don’t suppose Mabel is dying for you at all.  All of us girls like to receive attention from you gentlemen, and she’s not an exception.  Besides that, you ought to be polite to her, because she’s your mother’s guest, if for nothing else.  I don’t ask you to love her,” said she, “but I do ask you to treat her well.  Kind words cost nothing, and they go far toward making others happy.”

“So they do,” answered John, upon whom ’Lena’s words were having a good effect.  “I’ve nothing under heaven against Mabel Ross, except that mother wants me to marry her; but if you’ll warrant me that the young lady herself has no such intentions, why, I’ll do my very best.”

“I’ll warrant you,” returned ’Lena, who really had no idea that Mabel cared aught in particular for her cousin, and satisfied with the result of her interview she started to leave the room.

As she reached the door, John Jr. stopped her, saying, “You are sure she don’t care for me?”

“Perfectly sure,” was ’Lena’s answer.

“The plague, she don’t,” thought John, as the door closed upon ’Lena; and such is human nature, that the young man began to think that if Mabel didn’t care for him, he’d see if he couldn’t make her, for after all, there was something pleasant in being liked, even by Mabel!

The next day, as the young ladies were sitting together in the parlor, John Jr. joined them, and after wringing Carrie’s nose, pulling ’Lena’s and Anna’s curls, he suddenly upset Mabel’s work-box, at the same time slyly whispering to his cousin, “Ain’t I coming round?”

Abrupt as this proceeding, was, it pleased Mabel, who with the utmost good humor, commenced picking up her things, John Jr. assisting her, and managing once to bump his head against hers!  After this, affairs at Maple Grove glided on as smoothly as even Mrs. Livingstone could wish.  John and Mabel were apparently on the most amicable terms, he deeming ’Lena’s approbation a sufficient reward for the many little attentions which he paid to Mabel, and she, knowing nothing of all that had passed, drinking in his every word and look, learning to live upon his smile, and conforming herself, as far as possible, to what she thought would best please him.