the church all regular and highly fashionable. He
ain't expected to run rabbits nor mangy sheep; he
just sits on the stoop eating sausages and syrup, and
takes a leg off any low down parties that visit with
him without a collar on. He'll be on the Stenton
stage this evening," he added. "I got word last
night he was coming."

They lounged to the entrance of the store, gazing
over the still road, in the direction from which the
stage would arrive. Valentine Simmons was in his
office; and, as Gordon passed, he knocked on the
glass of the enclosure, and beckoned the other to
enter.

He greeted Gordon Makimmon cordially, waving
him to a seat. Valentine Simmons never, apparently,
changed; his countenance was always freshly
pink, the tufts of hair above his ears like combed
lamb's wool; his shirt with its single, visible blue
button never lacked its immaculate gloss.

"You're looking as jaunty as a man should with
the choice of the land before him. Lucky!, lucky!,
charming little wife, large fortune at your disposal.
...Pompey left one of the solidest estates in this
section. Opportune for you, very... miraculous,
if I may say so. But there, you ornament the
money as well as any other. You are right too --
a free hand; yours is the time for liberality, no
cares -- they come later. Ah, Gordon, have you

[[153]]

p152 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p153w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p154

v?