Leola stared, speechlessly, a moment, wondering if the old man was losing his mind, and, taking advantage of her silence, he continued, with forced bravado: “You look surprised, my haughty young lady, so I will explain. I have accepted a desirable proposal for your hand, and as you are plenty old enough to marry--nineteen your last birthday--I have named the wedding for a month from to-day.” Leola, recovering her speech, cried, indignantly: “Quite a cool proceeding on your part, sir, I must say, but I wish you to understand that I am not ready to marry yet.” “That makes no difference to me, for you will have to obey me, Leola Mead, understand that,” he replied, with rising anger. “You are my ward, and in pursuance of my duty to you, I have accepted a man for your husband who worships the ground you walk upon and will spend money on you like water.” Leola’s dark eyes blazed with indignation. “You must surely be mad,” she cried, passionately. “The man I would choose for my husband must ask me for my hand, not you, sir. This is free America, you must remember, not France, where marriages are arranged by old people who have forgotten love and youth. I refuse the suitor you have chosen for me without even hearing his name!” The old man muttered, sullenly. “Marriage is the destiny of all young girls. You would not wish to grow into a sour old maid?” “No, I do not intend to be an old maid, sir, but,” with a proud toss of her lovely head, “when I marry I shall choose the man myself, and it shall be for love, not money!” “Money is the only thing worth having--money and long life,” he muttered, but Leola, with a contemptuous laugh, turned to go. He sprang between her and the door, putting his back against it. “I have not done telling you all about this matter yet,” he exclaimed, but Leola stamped her little foot in a fury, replying: “I will not hear another word, I tell you, and you may as well let me go, and give up your foolish plans!” “By Heaven, miss, you shall marry the man of my choice--I swear it!” cried the wizard, violently, but she answered, coldly: “Pray let me hear no more such nonsense, Uncle Hermann. Granted you are my guardian, the law does not give you the power of marrying me to anyone against my will. No, not another word, or I shall think you are going insane, if not so already. Get away from that door, and let me out, or I shall scream for assistance or jump out of the window!” “You would not dare do either!” he said. Leola ran like a flash to the window, pushing back the creaking shutters, letting in a flood of June sunshine. The next moment she sprang to the high sill, crying, defiantly: “Now, get away from that door or I will jump out!” The old man muttered, incredulously: “You would break your neck!” Leola answered, recklessly: