,
Marian."

"No; it would not be convenient to Edith to-day," said Marian, quickly
drawing her hand from his detaining grasp, waving him adieu, and walking
swiftly away across the meadow.

Thurston gazed after her, strongly tempted to follow her; yet withal
admitting that it was best that she had declined his escort to the
cottage, and thanking Heaven that the opportunity would again be
afforded to take an "incidental" stroll with her, as she should walk to
church on Sunday morning; and so, forming the resolution to haunt the
forest-path from seven o'clock that next Sabbath morning until he should
see her, Thurston hurried home.

And how was it with Marian? She hastened to the cottage, laid off her
bonnet and shawl, and set herself at work as diligently as usual; but a
higher bloom glowed on her cheek, a softer, brighter light beamed in her
eye, a warmer, sweeter smile hovered around her lips, a deeper, richer
tone thrilled in her voice.

On Sunday morning the lovers "chanced" to meet again--for so Thurston
would still have had it appear as he permitted Marian to overtake him in
the forest on her way to the Sunday-school.

She was blooming and beautiful as the morning itself as she approached.
He turned with a radiant smile to greet her.

"Welcome! thrice welcome, dearest one! Your coming is more joyous than
that of day. Welcome, my own, dear Marian! May I now call you mine? Have
I read that angel-smile aright? Is it the blessed herald of a happy
answer to my prayer?" he whispered, as he took her hand and passed his
arm around her head and brought it down upon his bosom. "Speak, my
Marian! Speak, my beloved! Are you my own, as I am yours?"

Her answer was so low-toned that he had to bend his head down close to
her lips to hear her murmur:

"I love you dearly. But I love you too well to ruin your prospects. You
must not bind yourself to me just yet, dear Thurston," and meekly and
gently she sought to slip from his embrace.

But he slid his arm around her lightly, bending his head and whispering
eagerly:

"What mean you, Marian? Your words are incomprehensible."

"Dear Thurston," she answered, in a tremulous and thrilling voice, "I
have known your grandfather long by report, and I am well aware of his
character and disposition and habits. But only yesterday I chanced to
learn from one who was well informed that old Mr. Willcoxen had sworn to
make you his heir only upon condition of your finding a bride of eq