There was a knock at the dining-room door, and Georgianna, opening it, was petrified to behold, standing upon the step, no less a personage than the Honorable Heman Atkins, supposed by most of us to be then somewhere in that wide stretch of territory vaguely termed "the South." "Good evening, all," said the illustrious one, removing his silk hat and stepping into the room.

"What a charming scene! I trust I do not intrude." Georgianna was still speechless, in which unwonted condition she was not alone, Messrs.

Bangs and Tidditt being also stricken dumb.

But Captain Cy rose to the occasion grandly.
"Intrude ?" he repeated.

"Not a mite of it! Mighty glad to see you, Heman.