108 TROTTY'S WEDDING TOUR.

watching her every step she took about the room, and now
he folded both his little fat hands, and, looking at her very
hard, gave her a solemn wink.

“ What do you want?” asked Ruby.

Another wink; but he said not a word.

“7 —_] don’t exactly understand,” said Ruby.

Wink — wink — wink.

* Does the light hurt your eyes, sir?”

Wink — wink; but not a syllable did he say. Ruby was °
now really frightened. Perhaps he was a cannibal, and was
going to make his supper out of her, after all! And, O dear!
to think of being eaten up alive! And if she could only jump.
out of the window and run away! And what would her
father think when he came home, and found nothing but her
dress and shoes and a heap of little white bones !

Wink — wink — wink — wink.

O dear! could n’t she climb up the chimney,?

And then he opened his mouth.. Ruby screamed aloud,
but she did not dare to stir.

“T say,’ said the old man, “ you’re a very polite young
lady,—very polite; quite a sweet voice; and you’re very
good looking, too.”

“Dear no, sir,” said Ruby, drawing a long breath, and
feeling very much relieved.

“« What should you say,” continued the old gentleman, “ to
coming home with me? You might come back every Satur-
day night and see your father, you know.”