t his arm around her shoulders, and drew the sunny
head to his breast.

"Leo, listen to me. There is no heaven on earth, but the nearest
approach to it, the outlying suburbs whence we get bewildering glimpses
of beatitude beyond, is the season of courtship and betrothal. In the
magical days of sweetheartdom, a silvery glorifying glamour wraps the
world, brims jagged black chasms with glittering mist, paves rugged
paths with its shimmering folds, and tenderly covers very deep in rose
leaves, the clay feet of our idols. That wonderful light shines only
once full upon us, but the memory of it streams all along the
succeeding journey; follows us up the arid heights, throws its mellow
afterglow on the darkening road, as we go swiftly down the slippery
hill of life. It comes to all, as hope's happy prophecy, this sparkling
prologue, and we never dream that it is the sweetest and best of the
drama that follows; but let me tell you, enjoy it while you may.
Beautiful, hallowing sweetheart days, keep them unclouded, guard them
from strife; hold them for the precious enchantment they bring, and
take an old man's advice, do not quarrel with your sweetheart."

He kissed her cheek, and when the door closed behind him, she sat down
and covered her face with her hands.

Was that witching light already fading in her sky? Was the storm even
now muttering, that would rudely toss aside the rose leaves that
garlanded the feet of her beloved? In the midst of her eloquent
prologue would darkness smite suddenly, and end the drama? Life had
poured its richest wine into the cup she held to her lips; should she
risk spilling the priceless draught? She could turn a deaf ear to
teazing whispers of suspicion, she could shut her eyes to the spectre
that threw up warning hands, and so drift on; but the dream would be
broken perhaps too late, and all time could not repair the possible
shipwreck. Into the chill shadow of this problem plunged Miss Patty,
bringing through the room the penetrating spicery of an apron full of
pinks, which she was sorting and tying in star-shaped clusters.

"An extraordinary and most unexpected thing has happened, and I know
you will be surprised."

"What is it, Aunt Patty? Something very pleasant, I hope."

"I have actually changed my opinion; and you know how tenacious I
usually am of my well-matured views, because they are always founded on
such sound reasons. Quite surprised, aren't you, dear?"

"That is far too