evening found them all at The Pines, assembled on the veranda
watching the sunset, the old home seeming wonderfully restful and
peaceful to the returned travellers.

The years which had come and gone since Darrell first came to the Pines
told heaviest on Mr. Underwood. His hair was nearly white and he had
aged in many ways, appearing older than Mr. Britton, who was
considerably his senior; but age had brought its compensations, for the
stern, immobile face had softened and the deep-set eyes glowed with a
kindly, beneficent light. Mr. Britton's hair was well silvered, but his
face bore evidence of the great joy which had come into his life, and as
his eyes rested upon his son he seemed to live anew in that glorious
young life. To Mrs. Dean the years had brought only a few silver threads
in the brown hair and an added serenity to the placid, unfurrowed brow.
Calm and undemonstrative as ever, but with a smile of deep content, she
sat in her accustomed place, her knitting-needles flashing and clicking
with their old-time regularity. Duke, who had been left in Mr. Britton's
care during Darren's absence, occupied his old place on the top stair,
but even his five years of added dignity could not restrain him from
occasional demonstrations of joy at finding himself again at The Pines
and with his beloved master and mistress.

As the twilight began to deepen Kate suggested that they go inside, and
led the way, not to the family sitting-room, but to a spacious room on
the eastern side, a room which had originally been intended as a
library, but never furnished as such. It was beautifully decorated with
palms and flowers, while the fireplace had been filled with light boughs
of spruce and fir.

As they entered the room, Kate, slipping her arm within Mr. Britton's,
led him before the fireplace.

"My dear father," she said, "we have chosen this evening as the one most
appropriate for your formal installation in our family circle and our
home. I say formal because you have really been one of ourselves for
years; you have shared our joys and our sorrows; we have had no secrets
from you; but from this time we want you to take your place in our home,
as you did long ago in our hearts. We have prepared this room for you,
to be your _sanctum sanctorum_, and have placed in it a few little
tokens of our love for you and gratitude to you, which we beg you to
accept as such."

She bent towards the fireplace. "The hearthstone is ever an e