Blossoming boughs in February, “ and earth seemed crammed with heaven. bo thought Mrs. Dillworthy as she surveyed her orchards, that melted away into the emerald dyes of the wheat fields on the right and the budding vine yards on the sun-kissed slopes on her left Within range of her vision were pastures green, where, her stock grazed in security and fattened in peace. An English woman, this same Mrs. Dillworthy, and, as she expressed it, “born bred, and brought up in London.” Left a widow with one daughter, a brother who had settled in California some two years before bad persuaded her to follow him, and invest her money ha a well-cultivated ranch and orchard. The picture before her was the result, and so well satisfied was she that she sighed with deep content—a sigh from a heart overflowing with happiness and freedom from fretting cares. ** I > ave ail I -(rant to look at, and if igh winds don’t play ’avoc with tbe blossoms 111 ave fruit properly plentiful,” she thought. She walked leisurely down the gravelled walk, her plump hands on her hips, and her rosy face wearing a satisfied smile. Reaching the gate she called out — “ ’Arriet! ’Arriet, whatever is keeping you?” “ Coming, mamma,” said a pleasant voice, and into view came a fair-haired, blue-eyed English girl with a wild rose complexion, and a pretty, slight figure. At her side walked a young man, ruddy and dark, with frank, brown eyes and a pleasant face. Mrs. Dillworthy stared hard as she said to herself, “ What ’ave we ’ere for ’eaven’s sake ?”

Harriet spoke as she neared her mother. “ Mamma, this young man, Mr. Danfortk, is looking for work; as you want the wood chopped he wishes to secure the job.”

Mrs. Dillworlhy’s face instantly took on a business expression. Turning to Da'nforth she asked—

“ What wages would you expect ?”

“ Two fifty and board, madam,” he replied, as be bared his head, and ran his fingers through the thick brown locks that covered it. Accustomed to English labour prices, Mrs. Dillworthy was about to protest, but a glance from Harriet and the low remark, “ This is the West, you know, mamma,” caused her to say— “ I will ’ire you, young man. 