own little wife."

"It was very foolish!" she said, penitently, "but I did so want you to
myself to-night, and I'd worked so busily all day learning the lessons and
that song you brought me, thinking to please you."

"Did you, dear? well, it was too bad in me to neglect you so, and even to
forget to give you this, which I bought expressly for my dear little wife,
while in the city to-day."

He took her hand as he spoke, and slipped a ring upon her finger.

"O Ned, thank you!" she exclaimed, lifting to his a face full of delight.
"It's very pretty, and so good in you to remember to bring me something."

"Then shall we kiss and be friends, and try not to quarrel any more?"

"Yes; oh yes!" she said, offering her lips.

"I must have that song to-morrow," he said, caressing her again and again.

"No, no! I can't think of singing before such a performer as Miss
Fleming."

"But you are an early bird, and she and Miss Deane will probably be late.
Can't you sing and play for me before they are down in the morning?"

"Well, perhaps," she answered coquettishly. "And the lessons? will you
hear them, too, before breakfast?"

"If you wish it, dear."

CHAPTER XVII.

"The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:
therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with."

--_Proverbs_ 17:14.

Zoe went to bed that night and rose again the next morning a happy little
woman.

The song was sung, the performance eliciting warm praise from the solitary
listener.

Then they had a delightful ride together, all before breakfast, and she
brought to the table such dancing eyes and rosy cheeks that Mr. Lilburn
could not refrain from complimenting her upon them, while the rest of the
older people smiled in approval.

"She looks younger than ever," remarked Miss Deane, sweetly. "It is quite
impossible to realize that she is married."

"It is altogether possible for me to realize that she is my own dear
little wife," said Edward, regarding Zoe with loving, admiring eyes. "A
piece of personal property I would not part with for untold gold," he
added with a happy laugh.

"And we all think our Zoe is quite old for so young a husband," said
Elsie, bestowing upon the two a glance of smiling, motherly affection.

It was a busy season with Edward, and he was compelled to leave the
entertainment of the guests through the day to his mother and other
members of the