“Yes, miss, I’ll do ’em. I’s gwine to the village directly with a telegraph to Mars’r Everard, and I’ll take yourn same time.” So, when, a little later, she started for the telegraph office, she bore with her to the Rothsay Star the following: “MARRIED.—In Holburton, N. Y., July 17, 18—, by the Rev. John Matthewson, JAMES EVERARD FORREST, of Rothsay, Ohio, and Miss JOSEPHINE FLEMING, of Holburton.” CHAPTER XXXI. MRS. FORREST’S POLICY. When Aunt Axie was called so suddenly by Mrs. Markham, she was kindling the fire in the dining-room, which adjoined the room where Josephine sat shivering with cold, and feeling like anything but a happy wife just come to her husband’s ancestral halls. Tired with her rapid journey, and disappointed and shocked by what she had heard from Mrs. Markham of the judge’s will, Josey was nearer giving way to a hearty cry than she had been before in a long time. It had been far better to have staid where she was, and enjoyed the life she liked, than to have come here and subject herself to suspicion and slights from the people who did not know her. And then she was so cold, and chilly, and uncomfortable generally. But when the fire was made she felt better, and drawing an easy chair close to it assumed her usual indolent and lounging attitude. Twice Axie, who seemed to be excited, passed the door, once when she was taking the hot water to Rossie’s room, and again, later, after she had received an impression of the strangers against whom she had mentally declared war. This time Josephine called her. She had heard an unusual stir above, and from Mrs. Markham’s protracted absence, and Axie’s evident haste, suspected that the bombshell she had thrown had taken effect, especially if, as she believed, Rosamond was particularly interested in Everard. “Woman,” she said, as the black face glanced in, “what is your name?” “Axie, ma’am,” was the crisp reply, and Josephine continued: “Oh, yes, I have heard my husband speak of you. I am very sorry he is not here to set matters right. What is the matter up stairs? Is any one suddenly ill?” Axie was bristling with resentment toward this woman, who called Everard her husband so coolly, and in whom she would not believe till she had her master’s word of confirmation. Still, she must not be insolent, that was against her creed; but she answered with great dignity, “I tole you Miss Hastin’s was sick when you fust come. Her throat be very sore, an’ her head mighty bad; so, you’ll scuse me, now,” and with a kind of suppressed snort Axie departed, jingling her keys and tossing her blue-turbaned head high in the air.