his son the right age for Mamie? And ain't they the real first
families here--all the same as if they were noblemen? No, leave
Mamie to me, and keep to your shaft; there never was a man yet had
the least sabe about these things, or knew what was due to his
family." Like most of his larger minded, but feebler equipped sex,
Mulrady was too glad to accept the truth of the latter proposition,
which left the meannesses of life to feminine manipulation, and
went off to his shaft on the hillside. But during that afternoon
he was perplexed and troubled. He was too loyal a husband not to
be pleased with this proof of an unexpected and superior foresight
in his wife, although he was, like all husbands, a little startled
by it. He tried to dismiss it from his mind. But looking down
from the hillside upon his little venture, where gradual increase
and prosperity had not been beyond his faculties to control and
understand, he found himself haunted by the more ambitious projects
of his helpmate. From his own knowledge of men, he doubted if Don
Ramon, any more than himself, had ever thought of the possibility
of a matrimonial connection between the families. He doubted if he
would consent to it. And unfortunately it was this very doubt
that, touching his own pride as a self-made man, made him first
seriously consider his wife's proposition. He was as good as Don
Ramon, any day! With this subtle feminine poison instilled in his
veins, carried completely away by the logic of his wife's illogical
premises, he almost hated his old benefactor. He looked down upon
the little Garden of Eden, where his Eve had just tempted him with
the fatal fruit, and felt a curious consciousness that he was
losing its simple and innocent enjoyment forever.

Happily, about this time Don Ramon died. It is not probable that
he ever knew the amiable intentions of Mrs. Mulrady in regard to