When he took final leave of her he shook her hand, and as he did so he gave her a peculiar grasp which, in his own mind, indicated that he and she had now nothing more to do with each other, and that the acquaintance was adjourned without day.  She bade him a simple farewell, and as he left the house she grinned at his broad back.  This grin expressed, to herself at least, that the old and rather faulty acquaintance was at an end, and that the new connection which she intended to establish between herself and him would be upon an entirely different basis.

He did not ask her if there was anything more that he could do for her, for he did not desire to mix himself up with her affairs, which he knew she was eminently able to manage for herself, and it was with a deep breath of relief that he got into his buggy and drove home to his toll-gate.

CHAPTER XXX

By the Sea.

When Lieutenant Asher and his bride arrived at his brother’s toll-gate they were surprised as well as delighted by the cordiality of their greeting.  Each of them had expected a little stiffness during the first interview, but there was nothing of the kind, although young Mrs. Asher was bound to admit, when she took time to think upon the subject, that Olive treated her exactly as if she had been a dear old schoolmate, and not at all as her father’s wife.  This made things very pleasant and easy at that time, she thought, although it might have to be corrected a little after a while.

Things were all very pleasant, and there never had been so much talk at the tollhouse since the first stone of its foundation had been laid.  The day after the arrival of the newly married couple Mrs. Easterfield called upon them, and invited the whole family to dinner.

“I have never realized how much she must have thought of my parents!” said Olive to herself, as she gazed upon her father and Mrs. Easterfield.  “They are so very glad to see each other!”

She did not know that Lieutenant Asher had been to the present Mrs. Easterfield almost as much of a divinity as Mr. Hemphill had been to her girlish fancy; the difference being that the young cadet was well aware of the adoration of this child, not yet in long dresses, and greatly enjoyed and encouraged it.  When, a few years later, the child heard of his marriage, she had outgrown the love with the lengthening of the skirts.  But she had a tender recollection of it which she cherished.

The dinner the next day was a great success, and after it the lieutenant and Mrs. Easterfield earnestly discussed Olive when they had the opportunity for a tete-a-tete.  She was so much to each of them, and he was grateful that his daughter had fallen under the influence of this old friend, now a charming woman.

“She is so beautiful,” said the lady, “that she ought to be married as soon as possible to the most suitable bachelor in the United States.”