d, staring after him with parted lips. The baby
wailed softly, and she hushed it mechanically, her great, happy,
startled eyes fixed upon her brother.

Barnabas went on up the hill to Charlotte Barnard's. The spring was
advancing. All the trees were full of that green nebula of life which
comes before the blossom. Little wings, bearing birds and songs, cut
the air. A bluebird shone on a glistening fence-rail, like a jewel on
a turned hand. Over across the fields red oxen were moving down
plough-ridges, the green grass was springing, the air was full of
that strange fragrance which is more than fragrance, since it strikes
the thoughts, which comes in the spring alone, being the very odor
thrown off by the growing motion of life and the resurrection.

Barney Thayer went slowly up the hill with a curious gait and strange
gestures, as if his own angel were wrestling with himself, casting
him off with strong motions as of wings.

He fought, as it were, his way step by step. He reached the top of
the hill, and went into the yard of the Barnard house. Sarah Barnard
saw him coming, and shrieked out, "There's Barney, there's Barney
Thayer comin'! He's walkin', he's walkin' straight as anybody!"

When Barney reached the door, they all stood there--Cephas and Sarah
and Charlotte. Barney stood before them all with that noble bearing
which comes from humility itself when it has fairly triumphed.

Charlotte came forward, and he put his arm around her. Then he looked
over her head at her father. "I've come back," said he.

"Come in," said Cephas.

And Barney entered the house with his old sweetheart and his old
self.

THE END

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