“’Pon my word,” continued Mrs. Younker, so soon as she could collect breath enough after laughing to go on; “I do raley believe as how the boy’s ayther crazy, or in love, for sartin.  What does ail ye, Isaac?—­do tell!”

“Perhaps he was thinking of his dear Peggy,” said Ella, archly; who was, by the way, very fond of teasing him whenever opportunity presented; and could not even now, despite her previous low spirits, forbear a little innocent raillery—­her temperament being such, that wit and humor were ever ready on the slightest provocation to take the ascendancy, as old wine when stirred ever sends its sparkling beads upward.  “I wonder, Isaac, if you looked as amiable and interesting in the eyes of dear Peggy, and made as graceful an appearance, when you popped the question?”

“Why, how in the name o’ all Christen nater did you find out I’d done it?” asked Isaac, in reply; who having, meantime, regained his former position, and restored the plate, minus some of its contents, now sat a perfect picture of comical surprise, with his mouth slightly ajar, and his small eyes strained to their utmost and fastened seriously upon the querist as he awaited her answer.

“Murder will out, dear Isaac,” replied Ella, with a ringing laugh; in which she was joined by most of the others; and particularly by the subject of the joke; who perceiving, too late for retreat, that he had been betrayed into an acknowledgment of his secret, deemed this his wisest course for defence.

“And so, Isaac, you have really proposed to darling Peggy, then? and we are to have a wedding shortly?” continued his tormentor.  “And pray which did look the most foolish of the two?—­or was it a drawn-game, as we sometimes say of draughts?”

“Why,” rejoined Isaac, changing color as rapidly as an aurora borealis, and evidently much embarrassed; “I ’spect I mought as well own up, being’s I’ve got cotched in my own trap; and besides, it won’t make no great difference, only as I war intending it for a surprise.  You see I axed Peggy the question last night; and it’s all settled; and we’re going to be married in less nor a week, ef nothing unforeseen don’t happen; and as Mr. Reynolds ar a stranger in these diggins, I thought prehaps as how he’d like a little amusement like, and so I’ve fixed on him for my groomsman.”

“I am much obliged for your kind intentions, and the honor you would confer on me,” answered Reynolds, sadly; “but I am sorry to say, I shall be under the necessity of declining your invitation; as on the morrow I design taking a farewell leave of you all, and quitting this part of the country forever.”

Mr. Younker, his wife, and son, all started, with looks of surprise, at this announcement, while Ella again grew deadly pale; and rising, with some little trepidation, retired from the table.  The stranger was the only one unmoved.

“To-morrow!” ejaculated Mrs. Younker.

“Take leave o’ us!” said the host.