His dreams were interrupted by a vision so exactly in accordance with them, that for a moment, he supposed himself still the sport of an illusion. Just in front of him stood a young girl apparently not more than fifteen years whose laughing eyes were gazing into his own, while her sweet rosy mouth was parted in a bewitching smile. "When did you come? How long have you been here?" exclaimed a clear, ringing voice. "Why didn't you tell me you were growing this?" playfully pulling his beard. "Am I awake?" murmured Paul, trying to rouse himself, and sitting forward in his chair; his gaze still rivetted on the beautiful vision. "Hannah! Hannah!" called out the young girl. "Ned has come, and fallen asleep in the parlor." A middle aged, motherly looking woman, speedily answered the summons, and was hurrying across the hall, when the real Ned appeared at the door. "Ah, Hannah!" he said cheerily. "You're in good health I see. How's Gerty? I suppose my friend has come, as I see our valises are here." For one moment Gertrude stood in the centre of the floor bewildered, blushes mantling her cheeks as she realized that she had made a mistake; then with one bound she flew into the outstretched arms of her brother. "Are you really Ned?" she inquired archly, having nestled her head against his breast. "Yes, my little sis. Am I so changed that you didn't know me?" "I feel greatly flattered," explained Paul, coming forward with a smile. "Miss Gertrude, as I suppose this young lady to be, did me the honor to imagine I was her brother. I found the house deserted and fell asleep, and could not at once shake off the idea that the laughing eyes looking into mine and the voice, calling me Ned, did not belong to my vision." "It was this that deceived me," laughed Gerty pulling her brother's curly whiskers. "I don't think you look at all alike now." "How pleasant and cool you keep yourselves," exclaimed Edward, turning to Hannah who had seated herself opposite him. "Is every thing prosperous about the farm? I see you have a pair of fancy calves on the lawn." "Yes, and two more in the pasture. I believe the work is well advanced for the season. I wrote you about the new man I had hired." "Yes, and I shall want to hear all about it in the morning. My long walk from the landing has heated me terribly." "Your room is in order if you would like to go to it before tea. I will have the north chamber ready in a few minutes." "No, Hannah, stay here please," exclaimed Gertrude, "and I'll run up and open the blinds. You know, Ned, she keeps the house in such perfect order there is nothing else to do."