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Rh far from it. Still, that stoop in walking; that odd, limp slump in sitting; that toning down in joviality, had, for six months past, had all Branton Hills sympathizing with its popular Mayor.

Days; days; days! And, oh! that tough part,—nights, nights, nights! Nights of two young chaps, in full clothing, only just napping on a parlor couch. Nights of two girls nodding in chairs in a dimly,—oh, so dimly a lit room.

It got around almost to Christmas, only a fortnight to that happy day; but,—happy in Gadsby’s mansion? Finally Frank took a hand:—

“Now, kid, do try to stop this crying! You know I’m not scolding you, darling, but, you just can’t go on, this way; and that’s that!”

“I’m trying so hard, hubby!”

Now Nancy was of that good, sturdy old Colonial stock of His Honor and Lady Gadsby; and so, as Christmas was approaching, and many a bunch of holly hung in Broadway’s big windows, and as many a Salvation Army Santa Claus stood at its curbs, Nancy’s constitution won out; but a badly worn young lady was in and out of Gadsby’s mansion daily; bringing baby Lillian to kiss