Without circumlocution, Bagby went at the object of his call the moment the equally embarrassing meeting with Mrs. Meredith was over. "I came up to town," he announced," to 'tend Congress, of which I'm now a member;" and here the speaker paused as if to let the new dignity come home to his hearers. "Did n't I tell you I was a rising man? But I had another object in view in being so prompt, and that was to have a talk with you to see if we can 't arrange things. 'T is n't given to every girl to marry a Congressman, eh, miss?" "I--I--suppose not," stammered Janice, frightened, yet with an intense desire to laugh. "Before I say anything as to that," went on Bagby, "I want to tell you that I've been a good friend of yours. Old Hennion, who 's come out hating your dad the worst way, was for introducing a bill in Assembly last session declaring his lands forfeited, but I told him I'd not have it." "'T is but a duty man owes to prevent evil deeds," said Mrs. Meredith. "We are very grateful, Mr. Bagby," Janice thought it was necessary to add, with not a little surprise in her voice. "That's what I guessed you'd be," said the legislator. "Says I to myself, 'They've made a mistake as to the side they took but when they see that the British is beat, they'll do most anything to put themselves right again and save their property.' Now, if Miss Janice will marry me, there is n't any reason why you should n't all come back to Greenwood and live as fine as a fivepence." "We should not be willing to give thee our daughter, Mr. Bagby, even were she." "But I am--for the compliment you offer, sir, I thank you," interjected Janice. "Now, you just listen to reason," protested Joe. "You must n't think it 's only the property I'm set on. I've made a swipe of money in the last year--nigh forty thousand dollars-- Continental--so I can afford to marry whom I like; and though I own that thirty thousand acres is no smouch of land, yet I'm really soft on Miss Janice, and would marry her even if she had n't money, now that I've got some of my own." "It can make no difference, Mr. Bagby," replied the mother. "Neither her father nor I would consent to her wedding thee, and I know her wishes accord with ours." Joe, with a somewhat bewildered face and a decidedly awkward movement, picked up his hat. "It don't seem possible," he said, "that you'll throw away all that property; for, of course, I'm not going to stand between you and old Hennion when you show yourselves so unfriendly." "'T is in the hands of One who knows best." Bagby went to the door. "The Assembly meets on the twenty-eighth," he remarked, "and I promised some of the members I'd quit Congress to 'tend the early part of the session, so I've got to go back to Trenton in three days. If you change your mind before then, let me know."