The first customer to cross the threshold was a young man to whom old Hepzibah let certain remote rooms in the House of the Seven Gables.

Poor Hepzibah, when she heard the kindly tone of his voice, began to sob.

" On Holgrave asking for half a dozen biscuits, Hepzibah put them into his hand, but rejected the compensation.

" "Ah, Phoebe," said Hepzibah, sighing, "it is a wretched thought that you should fling away your young days in a place like this.

"How do you like the face?" asked Hepzibah.

" "Well, well, child, perhaps he has," said Hepzibah, with a sad, hollow laugh; "but in old houses like this, you know, dead people are very apt to come back again.

" III.Miss Hepzibah's Guests The day after Phoebe's arrival there was a constant tremor in Hepzibah's frame.

" III.Miss Hepzibah's Guests The day after Phoebe's arrival there was a constant tremor in Hepzibah's frame.

He is coming!" whispered Hepzibah.

"Dear Clifford," said Hepzibah, "this is our Cousin Phoebe, Arthur's only child, you know.

"Has anything happened to disturb youanything remarkable in Cousin Hepzibah's familyan arrival, eh?

Ah, there is Hepzibah herself!"

"He cannot see you," said Hepzibah, with quivering voice.

The judge withdrew, and Hepzibah, deathly white, staggered towards Phoebe.

"You cannot see him," answered Hepzibah.

Nevertheless, I will call Clifford!" Hepzibah went in search of her brother, and Judge Pyncheon flung himself down in an old chair in the parlour.

"Hepzibah," he said, "we can dance now!

Presently the voices of Clifford and Hepzibah were heard at the door, and when they entered Clifford appeared the stronger of the two.

" A week after the judge's death news came of the death of his son, and so Hepzibah became rich, and so did Clifford, and so did Phoebe, and, through her, Holgrave.

" Then, with Hepzibah and Clifford, Phoebe and Holgrave left the old house for ever.

"I'm not sure just how well you know Mrs. Hepzibah Brentwood," he demurred; "but it will be quite like her to balk.

After, if you can give me a lift with Mrs. Hepzibah, I'll call you in.

Mrs. Hepzibah refuses point-blank to sell her stockwon't talk about it.

" The New Yorker tramped a full square in thoughtful silence before he said: "Candidly, Kent, Mrs. Hepzibah's little stake in Western Pacific isn't altogether a matter of life and death to me, don't you know?

I believe Mrs. Hepzibah would be ready to fall on your neck and forgive you, and turn me down."