He tried to smile, and the combination resulted in one of the most startling and grotesque effects I ever beheld.

At length he said: "I shall not marry Nellie--that is"-- he seemed to apologize internally for the positive form of expression--"I think that I had better not." "David Fagg," I said with sudden severity, "you're of no account!" To my astonishment his face brightened.

"Yes," said he, "that's it!--I'm of no account! But I always knew it.

You see I thought Rattler loved that girl as well as I did, and I knew she liked him better than she did me, and would be happier I dare say with him.

But then I knew that old Robins would have preferred me to him, as I was better off--and the girl would do as he said--and, you see, I thought I was kinder in the way--and so I left.