"Should not woman have a companion--a consoler, who--"

The fan was evidently used to hide a number of blushes.

"Should not such a lovely creature as yourself," continued the
enthusiastic Jinks, "choose one to--"

Redbud rose quickly, and said, blushing and laughing:--

"Oh, come, Verty!"

"No, no--listen!" said Verty, "I do believe--"

"No, no, no!" cried Redbud, hurriedly, "it was very wrong--"

"What?--courting."

"Oh, no! It's mean in us to listen!"

And she went out of the arbor, followed by Verty, who said, "I'm glad
courting ain't wrong; I think I should like to court you, Redbud."

Redbud made no reply to this innocent speech of Mr. Verty, but walked
on. The noise which they made in leaving the arbor attracted the
attention of the personages whose conversation we have been compelled
to overhear; and Mr. Jinks and his companion passed through an opening
in the shrubbery, and appeared in full view.

Miss Sallianna was a young lady of thirty-two or three, with long