MOLLY ACCEPTS THE CONSEQUENCES.
WITH grave hospitality, untinged by any flutter of maiden delight in welcoming as guest the man whose life-long guest she may become, Molly Wilder received the new-comer, invited him to throw off his wraps, and to seat himself at the bountiful tea-table. Reuben accepted the invitation with alacrity; and having placed himself in the seat of honor,—at the foot of the table,—he asked a blessing, followed at once by a smile of bashful delight, as he added,—
"Seems almost as if we were married already; don't it, Molly?"
Molly made no reply: her whole consciousness seemed absorbed in the great resolve she had just made, and never for a moment forgot; and while Reuben, full of vulgar hilarity, heaped his own and his sister's plate with many a jest as to his generosity as a provider, and the bountiful table he loved to keep, and while Mercy, luxuriating in unlimited dainties, forgot all but their enjoyment, their hostess was watching both with dispassionate scrutiny, and figuring to herself a life wherein three times in every day she must confront that crafty and vulgar face, lighted as now by the greed of animal enjoyment, hear those harsh and
