Elwell, who had been staring at the handsome girl all this time in a manner very unbecoming to a prospective bridegroom, said, “Yes,” and explained that he was in town for a few days only, and consequently pressed for time. He would like to see Mr. Coleman as soon as possible. Would she kindly say that he was stopping at the Palmer, and ask Mr. Coleman to favor him with a call? “Certainly,” replied the handsome girl, evidently somewhat tired of his open admiration. “What is the name, please?” “Elwell--Mr. Elwell,” replied the owner of the name, backing down the steps. “Mr. James Elwell?” inquired the young lady, quickly. “Yes. You have heard the name before, I perceive?” “Yes, I think I have heard Mr. Coleman mention it.” And then, with a cool “good morning,” she passed him on the steps, and started on her way. “That is a handsome girl,” commented Elwell, mentally, as he watched her form recede from view. “Wonder why Coleman never mentioned her?” And still thinking of the handsome, black-eyed girl, he got into the carriage and was driven off. That was a busy day for Mr. James Elwell, and more than once he congratulated himself that he had not been accompanied by Fanny. He had never thought of the matter before, being somewhat indifferent to the charms of society, as are most ambitious men; and it surprised him to find how few friends he had that could prove desirable acquaintances for his wife. He had been greeted by a vast number of his friends that day, but they were mostly “bloods”--young men with sporting proclivities, and “fast” in every meaning of the term. On ’Change he knew numbers of solid, respectable business men, but he did not know their families; and there seemed to be no place that he could have taken his bride had she been with him; and so he rejoiced at her absence, and resolved that it would be a long time before he would try to introduce her into society--at least in Chicago. He had thought of all this during the day, and returned to the hotel in the evening in a very contented frame of mind. He found Coleman waiting for him, and they shook hands heartily. “I say, Elwell, I guess there is some one here looking for you,” said the lawyer, after their friendly greeting. “At least the clerk asked me how soon you would return, and then sent them up to the parlor.” “Them? Who?” demanded Elwell. “Blessed if I know,” returned Coleman. “One was a fat, jolly-looking old fellow, and the other was a well-dressed girl with red hair and a turn-up nose.” Elwell groaned in bitterness of spirit. There could be no mistake from his friend’s candid description. It _must_ be Fanny and her father. “What’s the matter?” inquired Coleman. “You don’t owe them anything do you?” “I am afraid I do,” replied Elwell ruefully; “but not in the way you think. You see, Peter,” he said, familiarly, in his trouble, “I am going to be married soon.” Peter whistled softly and looked interested.