prise, but showing pleasure, neverthel

passing within two feet of his father'

t forth, impulsiv

father, embarrassed, for h

nting to Mrs. Kent, who looke

father, nervously. "Shake ha

hing in his memory, perhaps something in his

heed the suggestion. Inste

at you left me in ignor

," said his father,

poke for th

ght it would only int

help a slight sne

ems to me that such an important event in my

anger and vexation, and answered mildly

you have come it is a pity you were not here earlier, so that you could have be

ere no invitations is

come earlier," sa

gned cordiality, for it was politic to keep on good terms with Jasp

he interruption to my

ghtly, but she answered, amiably: "I am afraid I have thought too much of that alrea

provingly at these

Jasper, "since you treated me no

my secret!" thought M

Jasper?" demanded Mr. Kent, s

" explained Mrs. Kent, r

ere his mother

lways looked upon me as a mother, though such is not our relationshi

nt, kindly. "We must have him here on a visit. As Jasper's

ght well be mistaken for that of grateful emotion. "It will, ind

eh, Jasper? It will be pleasant for y

ay how distasteful the proposition was to him, or to explai

d not openly object, she was satisfied. It was what she had wished to bring about, and she fe

you, Jasper," she said. "You had better write to D

room, and Jasper was lef

per?" asked his father, anxiously,

frankly. "I have not yet got ov

ght to have tol

omed to keep secret

I wanted to tell you, but she-

dly, "it will not be the only time tha

t shall not be. I am sure she would not wish it, and I know I wouldn't permit it.

reconcile me to

t is

at it would promo

said Mr. Kent, but he did

ask. But tell me, father

nt hes

urse and Miss Thorne needed a home; and, in fact, without pretending to any sentim

en you made the proposal, fathe

was," answered his

aid to himself; "she inveigled

aid

your happiness; and now let us talk about some

, Ja

d his father, and the two forgot for a time that a new tie had

about Jasper's room, opened her writing-desk and w

d me as a mother, though really my nephew. You must give the same explanation. Jasper is at home now, not very well pleased to find that he has a

devote

a Thorn

u, and he authorizes me to invite y