CHAPTER VII.
THE STEPMOTHER.
Rapidly the summer was passing away, and as autumn drew near the wise gossips of Glenwood began to whisper that the lady from the East was in danger of being supplanted in her rights by the widow, whose house Mr.Hamilton was known to visit two or three times each week.

But Lenora had always some plausible story on hand.

"Mother and the lady had been so intimate--in fact, more than once rocked in the same cradle--and 'twas no wonder Mr.Hamilton came often to a place where he could hear so much about her." So when business again took Mr.Hamilton to Albany suspicion was wholly lulled, and Walter, on his return from college, was told by Mag that her fears concerning Mrs.Carter were groundless.

During the spring Carrie had been confined to her bed, but now she seemed much better, and after Walter had been at home awhile he proposed that he and his sisters should take a traveling excursion, going first to Saratoga, thence to Lake Champlain and Montreal, and returning home by way of Canada and the Falls, This plan Mr.Hamilton warmly seconded, and when Carrie asked if he would not feel lonely he answered, "Oh, no; Willie and I will do very well while you are gone." "But who will stay with Willie evenings, when you are away ?" asked Mag, looking her father steadily in the face.
Mr.Hamilton colored slightly, but after a moment replied: "I shall spend my evenings at home." "'Twill be what he hasn't done for many a week," thought Mag, as she again busied herself with her preparations.
The morning came at last on which our travelers were to leave.

Kate Kirby had been invited to accompany them, but her mother would not consent.