but I have known gladder folks. From the back of the carriage I watched the lessening figures on the piazza, as we drove rapidly down the avenue, and an involuntary sigh escaped me as a winding of the road hid the dark house, with its snow-capped roofs and porticoes, from my sight. "Good bye till June," I said, regretfully. "Till June," repeated Mr. Rutledge, pulling Tigre's ears, and making him yelp. "Do you understand, Tigre? This young lady means to come back in June, if she doesn't change her mind. Understand the condition, Tigre. What do you think of our chance?" The cur, by way of answer, began gnawing at my tippet. "Don't destroy that too, sir," I exclaimed. "You've ruined one pair of gloves for me already. Isn't it singular, what could have become of that other one," I continued. "I've searched high and low for it--everywhere, in fact." "Where did you see it last?" he inquired. "I cannot remember anything about it, after--after--Tigre and I started on our race. Don't scold," I said, coaxingly, "you know I am going to reform." "Careless girl," he said, gloomily, "what will you lose next?" "It wasn't my fault; I've looked everywhere for it. Isn't it strange what has become of it?" "Very strange," said Mr. Rutledge, gravely. "Indeed, I may say, in a high degree mysterious." CHAPTER XVI. "Get thee back, Sorrow, get thee back! My brow is smooth, mine eyes are bright, My limbs are full of health and strength, My cheeks are fresh, my heart is light." MACKAY. "Why, which way are we going?" I exclaimed, as we turned off, on an opposite road, about quarter of a mile before reaching the well-remembered depot and gloomy suburbs which had been, I supposed, our destination. "To tell you the truth," said my _compagnon de voyage_, "I have begun to look upon railroads as an invention of the enemy, and to prefer any other mode of travel. So that, considering we are both invalids (a fact you are constantly overlooking), and cannot bear fatigue or excitement, I have arranged our route after this manner: we drive, to-day, by easy stages as far as W.; then a night's rest there; and to-morrow morning go on to C., where we part with the carriage, and take the day-boat down the river, which will bring us to the haven of our desires to-morrow evening about seven o'clock. This seemed a more agreeable plan than going by cars, and I thought would be less fatiguing." "_A la bonne heure!_" I cried, remembering it was three times as long as the railroad route.