you. Mrs. Mayne has some friends coming to five-o'clock tea, and she
wants us to go over for an hour. It is so dull for you, dear, always
to walk alone."

"Oh no; I shall not be dull, Nannie," returned Phillis, with an
unsteady smile, for her spirits were a little fluctuating that
afternoon. "I am restless, and want a good walk: so I shall just go to
Sandy Lane, and be back in time to make tea for mother." And then she
waved her hand, and whistled to Laddie as she unlatched the little
gate. It was a long walk. But, as usual, the quiet and the sweet air
refreshed her, and by the time she reached Sandy Lane her eyes were
brilliant with exercise, and a pretty pink tinge of color was in her
cheeks. It is May-day,--the 1st of May. I wonder how soon he will
come, she thought, as she leaned on the little gate where poor Dick
had leaned that day.

There were footsteps approaching, but they made no sound over the
sandy ruts. A tall man, with a fair beard and a clerical felt hat, was
walking quickly up the road that leads from Oldfield; and as he walked
his eyes were scanning the path before him, as though he were looking
for some one. At the sight of the girl leaning against the gate his
face brightened, and he slackened his steps a little, that he might
not startle her. She was looking out across the country with a
far-off, dreamy expression, and did not turn her head as he
approached. It was Laddie who saw him first, and jumped up with a
joyous bark to welcome him; and then she looked round, and for a
moment her eyes grew wide and misty, for she thought it was a
continuation of her dream.

"Laddie saw me first," he said, stepping up quietly to her side,--for
he still feared to startle her,--and his voice was very gentle.
"Phillis, you must not look so surprised! Surely you expected me? It
is the 1st of May!"

"Oh, I knew that," she said; and then she turned away from him. But he
had not dropped her hand, but was holding it very quietly and firmly.
"But I could not tell the day; and----"

"Did you think I should wait an hour beyond the time you fixed?" he
answered, very calmly. "May is your favorite month; and what could be
more beautiful than May-day for the purpose I have in hand! Phillis,
you will not go back from your promise now? You said you would listen
to me in May."

There was no answer to this; but, as Archie looked in her face, he
read no repulse there. And so, in that quiet lane, with Laddie lying
at their