actually vote him a bore, or clown; but she decided that there was great room for improve ment in his manners.

No wonder the general was embarrassed. Never before in his eventful life had he felt the tender sentiment of love. While he was brave as a lion when threatened with physical danger, he trembled under the fire of those soft, dark eyes, and he became as confused as an awkward, bashful schoolboy. His former camp life and exclusion from ladies' society made him more sensible, in the present interval of gay and social life, to the attractions of this elegant woman brought up in the polite circle of New York.

They still tarried at New York, where Captain Morris and Major Bridges, his fellow aids under Braddock, were lingering. One day he met Morris on the street and, in course of conversation, spoke of the charms of Miss Philipse.

Ah, you know her, do you, general?" cried Morris. Egad! I am glad to learn that, for I've been yearning for an introduction to Miss Philipse." "You have never seen her, then?" remarked Washington.

"Seen her? yes; but, by zounds! I have never had an opportunity to speak with her."

"You shall have the opportunity, my friend," said the generous warm-hearted Washington, little

dreaming that, in Captain Morris, he would find a rival to supplant him in the affections of Miss Philipse. An excellent opportunity soon presented itself. Mrs. Robinson gave a ball in honor of the southern officers, and, of course, an invitation was extended to all of the late General Braddock's staff

in the city.

Morris was at the ball.

Bridges had been coach

ing him before he made his appearance.

"Egad! you can down this militia general, Morris. Zounds! he is brave as a lion when it comes to battle; but he knows devilish little about woHe lacks that amount of polish necessary to be a lady killer. Egad! you have it."

men.

The gilded halls of the grand old Robinson mansion were ablaze with light that night. Never had there been such an assemblage. The scarlet and blue coats, the epaulets of gold, the plumes and chapeaus, the gay uniform and rich costumes of the ladies present, all made up a grand scene of splendor. Washington was ill at ease. He felt neglected and stood apart from the gay throng. His friend Morris led the beautiful and accomplished Miss Philipse through the dance so gracefully and so gallantly that the hero of the Monongahela felt his own insignificance in the ball room. Washington's heart was strong, and he was not inclined to yield, though, from the first, he realized his inferiority.

"I am a backwoodsman, a surveyor, a soldier and unfitted for the refined scenes of life," he thought. He was not lacking in intellectual qualities, for often, in the house of burgesses, he had made eloquent and stirring appeals for the people; but a sage in love (especially if it be his first attack) often becomes a foolish coward.

Noah Stevens, with Anne leaning on his arm, came to the general, sitting alone and apart from the others near a window. After greeting his friend and his affianced, Washington asked:

"Have you decided yet to go with me to Boston?"

"No, general; on the contrary I have decided not to go.

Why?"

"How long will you be in Boston?" asked Noah. "I think not longer than ten days."

66 Then you will return in time."

66

In time? What do you mean?" asked Washington.

แ

"In time for my wedding."

66 Are you to be married so soon?"

'Yes; it is all arranged.

Washington smiled and, in the happiness of his friend, tried to forget his own fear and misery. Next day, accompanied by Mercer and Stewart, he set out for Boston. Washington feared that Miss