CHAPTER X.

"Hope like the glimmering taper's light,
Adorns and cheers the way;
And still as darker grows the night,
Emits a cheerful ray."


Upon our return from Kentucky we were received by motherly Mrs Dean, with
her ever warm welcome; but after the usual greeting a mischievous smile
was seen lurking on her face, and she archly told us that she had a very
attractive addition to her family, in the persons of two bachelor
boarders. This served but as a pastime of the moment, and I gave it little
further thought, until I was presented to Mr. Arms, a gentleman of medium
height, head of noble mould and fine poise, dark hair and luxuriant beard,
large brown eyes expressive and scintillating, quiet, unobtrusive manner
and somewhat low voice.

Methinks that I can trace a meaning smile upon the faces of some of my
readers at the detailed description of one they deem too blind to see. Not
so, there is a strange mysterious masonry in human souls, and while

"Few are the hearts, whence one same touch,
Bids the sweet fountain flow,"

an indescribable consciousness of mutual interest came with this meeting;
and while I little dreamed that this stranger would in after time stand by