"You know very well," he returned, ruefully, "that I shall always be hoping against all reason that the wished-for answer was coming at last." "Then we will say no more about it at present." "And I may come occasionally to learn whether that 'something' has been decided?" "Yes, if you have the patience for it. But, I warn you, there is a chance of my having to say 'No.'" "If there is only a chance of your having to say 'No,' I think I may incur the risk," said Rumway, with a sudden accession of hopefulness; and, as they walked home together once more, the gossips pronounced it an engagement. The Captain himself felt that it was, although, when he reviewed the conversation, he discovered that he founded his impression upon that one glance of the gray eyes, rather than upon anything that had been said. And Mrs. Smiley put the matter out of mind as much as possible, and waited. One day, about the last of the month, a letter came to her from over the mountains. It ran in this wise: "MY LOVELY LADY: I am once more among the familyar seanes of 40 year ago. My son is hear, an' about as I expected. I had rather be back at Clatsop, with the old bote; but, owin' to circumstances I can't controll, think it better to end my dais on this side ov the mountains. You need not look for me to come back, but I send you an' the boy my best love, an' hope you hav done as I advised. "Yours, faithfully, til deth, "JOE CHILLIS." Soon after the receipt of this letter, Captain Rumway called to inquire concerning the settlement of the matter on which his marriage depended. That evening he stayed later than usual, and, in a long confidential talk which he had with Mrs. Smiley, learned that there was a condition attached to the consummation of his wishes, which required his recognition of the claims of "poor old Joe" to be considered a friend of the family. To do him justice, he yielded the point more gracefully than, from his consciousness of his own position, could have been expected. The next day, Mrs. Smiley wrote as follows: "DEAR MR. CHILLIS: I shall move into the new house about the last of October, _according to your advice_. We--that is, myself, and Willie, and the present owner of the house--shall be delighted if you will come and stay with us. But if you decide to remain with your son, believe that we think of you very often and very affectionately, and wish you every possible happiness. R. agrees with me that the land ought to be deeded back to you; and _I_ think you had best return and get the benefit of it. It would make you very comfortable for life, properly managed, and about that we might help you. Please write and let us know what to do about it. "Yours affectionately, "ANNIE SMILEY." No reply ever came to this letter; and, as it was written ten years ago, Mrs. Rumway has ceased to expect any. Willie is about to enter College.