society. Where should he go first? Truly Ishmael was embarrassed
with the riches of his friendships.

At Woodside were Hannah and Reuben, who had cared for him in his
orphaned infancy, and who really seemed to have the first right to
him.

And at Tanglewood Judge Merlin was alone, moping for the want of his
lost daughter and needing the consolation of a visit from Ishmael.

At the Beacon was his betrothed bride, who was also anxious to see
him.

And finally, at Brudenell Hall was Herman Brudenell; and Herman
Brudenell was--his father!

After a little reflection Ishmael's right-mindedness decided in
favor of Woodside. Hannah had stood in his mother's place towards
him, and to Hannah he would go first.

So, to get there by the shortest route, Ishmael took passage in the
little steamer "Errand Boy," that left Georgetown every week for the
mouth of the river, stopping at all the intervening landing-places.

Ishmael started on Friday morning and on Saturday afternoon was set
ashore at Shelton, whence a pleasant walk of three miles through the
forest that bordered the river brought him to Woodside.

Clean and cheerful was the cottage, gleaming whitely forth here and
there from its shadowy green foliage and clustering red roses. The