“Thanks,” answered Paul; “kind words are better any time than cruel ones. My mother always told me to shun a quarrel, and I would find it better in the end, as no good ever sprung out of one. I must be going, as it is nearly nine o’clock and I will not get home now until ten and mother will be very anxious about me,” said Paul. “I would like to see you at the party, Ralph, as I am going too, if mother is as well as usual. She has not been very well lately. She went to town some time ago, and since then has been very poorly.” “I am very sorry,” answered Ralph, and he felt deeply moved as he said: “Paul, your mother is all the relative you have living, and it would be very bad indeed to see her die. She has been a good, kind mother to you and you would miss her very much.” “Yes,” answered Paul, “a kinder mother there never was, and may she live long to see what a dutiful son she has.” As he said this tears were in his eyes. “Good night, Ralph!” Suiting the action to the word he sprang lightly on his horse and rode away. He went homeward thinking of all Ralph had said about Warren’s cousin and his mother, and he was deeply troubled. His mother he loved deeply and feared for her health. He soon arrived and all were to bed except his mother who met him at the door, saying: “My son, I am very glad to see you come.” “Why, mother, did you think the wolves would get me?” said her son laughing, as he bent down and kissed her. “You see I am here and looking well, so you need not worry any more, but go right to bed, as you are very pale. Mother, have you any objections to my going to John Hilton’s to a party Friday night? I will not stay long.” “No, my son, I should be pleased to have you go, as it is very lonesome for you to stay here all the time with only me as company,” said his mother, the tears springing to her eyes. “No, no, mother, it is not lonesome here. It would be, though, if I had no mother to kiss me good night.” He went to his mother and kissed her again, saying: “Drive those tears away, dear mother, and let me see you smile again. You have been thinking too deeply about me since I went away this evening.” If he only knew what troubled her day and night he would have been troubled too, but as it were he only thought it was because he went away and left her alone, which he seldom did in the evening, lately. He went to bed thinking of all that had transpired since morning—the little lady he met by the lake—Ralph’s cruel and kind words—and seeing his mother in tears, which he seldom ever did. “’Tis strange, very strange,” mused Paul as he fell asleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER III. The time for the party came in due season, and at John Hilton’s everything seemed to be hustle, bustle. The tea things were to be cleared away, the lamps lighted, and many other things to be seen to before the company arrived.