The little old lady laughed excitedly, and shook her head; the tears
stood in her eyes.

"Do you want to leave Old Chester?" the Captain demanded.

"You know I don't," she said, sighing.

"She'd take you away _to-morrow_," he threatened, "if she knew I had--I
had--"

"She sha'n't know it."

"Well, then, we've got to get spliced to-morrow."

"Oh, Alfred, no! I don't believe Dr. Lavendar would--"

"I'll have no dealings with Lavendar," the Captain said, with sudden
stiffness; "he's like all the rest of 'em. I'll get a license in Upper
Chester, and we'll go to some parson there."

Mrs. North's eyes snapped; "Oh, no, no!" she protested; but in another
minute they were shaking hands on it.

"Cyrus and Gussie can live by themselves," said the Captain, joyously,
"and I'll get that hold cleaned out; she's kept the ports shut ever
since she married Cyrus."

"And I'll make a cake! And I'll take care of your clothes; you really
are dreadfully shabby;" she turned him round to the light, and brushed
off some ashes. The Captain beamed. "Poor Alfred! and there's a button