s," he said, smiling faintly;
"the whole o' my three years' work."

"Well, never mind, ol' man. I've got a chance fer yeh. Still an ol'
bach?"

"Still an old bach." He looked at Flaxen, irresistibly drawn to her
face. She dropped her eyes; she could not have told why.

And so "Wood & Gearheart" was painted on the sides of the drays, and
they all continued to live in the little yellow cottage, enjoying life
much more than the men, at least, had ever dared to hope; and little
Elsie grew to be a "great girl," and a nuisance with her desire to
"yide" with "g'an'pap."

There is no spot more delightful in early April than the sunny side of
the barn, and Ans and Bert felt this, though they did not say it. The
eaves were dripping, the doves cooing, the hens singing their
harsh-throated, weirdly suggestive songs, and the thrilling warmth and
vitality of the sun and wind of spring made the great, rude fellows
shudder with a strange delight. Anson held out his palm to catch the
sunshine in it, took off his hat to feel the wind, and mused:

"This is a great world--and a great day. I wish't it was always
spring."

"Say," began Bert abruptly, "it seems pretty well understood that
you're her father--but where do I come in?"

"You ought to be her husband." A light leaped into the younger man's
face. "But go slow," Anson went on gravely. "This package is marked
'Glass; handle with care.'"

THE END.

D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

APPLETONS' SUMMER SERIES, 1891.

_TOURMALIN'S TIME CHEQUES._ By F. Anstey, author of "Vice Versa," "The
Giant's Robe," etc.

"Its author has struck another rich vein of whimsicality and humor."--_San
Francisco Argonaut._

"His special gift is in making the impossible appear probable."--_St.
Louis Republic._

"A curious conceit and very entertaining story."--_Boston Advertiser._

"Each cheque is good for several laughs."--_New York Herald._

"Certainly one of the most diverting books of the season."--_Brooklyn
Times._

"Sets a handsome example for the 'Summer Series,' with its neat and
portable style of half cloth binding and good paper and
typography."--_Brooklyn Eagle._

_FROM SHADOW TO SUNLIGHT._ By the Marquis of Lorne.

"In these days of princely criticism--that is to say, criticism of
princes--it is refreshing to meet a really good bit of aristocratic
literary work, albeit the author is only a prince-in-law.... The theme
chosen by the Marquis makes his story attra