“Mr. Smith:
“Your unselfish generosity in offering such a superb contribution to my pleasure forbids that I should return your gift as formally as etiquette requires. A moment’s reflection, however, will convince you that I could not accept your beautiful horse; yet I assure you the motives prompting the offer are fully appreciated, and will be gratefully remembered. The sentiments of regard you so kindly express are more than reciprocated, and it will be my greatest pleasure to continue a friendship which has been so delightful to me, and, I trust, not unpleasant to you.
“Hoping that this conventional necessity may not wound your feelings,
I remain,
“The Same Lillian.”
I folded the note with an air of pride and a consciousness of my powers of conquest I had never felt before. Now I have the written proof of her esteem. I wonder if Ned will doubt my success.
“What were you laughing at, Reuben, when you gave me this note?” I said, turning to where he stood, still grinning.
“He-e-e! he!” he snickered, rubbing his nose against the saddle, “dem young ladies tinks you’s a gone case, Marse John.”
“What did they do when you got there?”