here, yet how am I to get on? Sir," she said to a benevolent-looking
old gentleman, whose white hairs and respectable appearance were a
guarantee of protection to her, "will you be so obliging as to direct
me to the wood-yard of Carter & Co. I believe I have lost my way."

"Certainly, my dear," said the old man, with a pleasant smile; "I am on
my way to the Exchange, and shall be obliged to go right by it, so if
you will walk by my side, or take my arm, I will leave you at their
office door."

"Thank you," replied May, as with a feeling of safety she laid her
little hand on the fatherly arm, so kindly offered. Some ten minutes'
walk brought them to the office of Carter & Co., and while May stood an
instant, with her veil lifted, to thank her conductor, she saw a face
approaching through the crowd--then lost, then visible again, which
blanched her cheeks by its sudden appearance. The cold, stern eyes
were turned another way, yet she _felt_ that they had recognized her;
but it passed on, without seeming to notice her. "Uncle Stillinghast!"
thought May, while her little fluttering heart felt an icy chill pass
over it; "what will Uncle Stillinghast think? Oh, how stupid I was,
not to wait until they all got by, then look for the place myself. Oh
dear, dear! I hope he did not see me."

"What will you have, ma'am?" asked the clerk, coming forward, more
anxious to shut out the cold air from his comfortable snuggery than to
effect sales.

"I wish to purchase a quarter of a cord of wood, sir."

"Oak, hickory, or pine, ma'am?"