e looks better, a great deal better,
Ben?"

Again, that grotesque expression seized upon Ben's features; and,
setting down his hat, as if it had been a washbowl, he took Lina's straw
hat from the bottom of the boat, where it had fallen, and began to shake
out the ribbons with great energy.

"She grows pale--I'm afraid she is losing ground again, Ben," said
Ralph, as the color wavered to and fro on the fair cheek beneath his
gaze.

"Shall I fill the hat again?" answered Ben, demurely.

"It kinder seems to be the filling on it that brings her round easiest?"

"No, you're very kind, but I'll sprinkle her forehead--she has been so
frightened, you know, I dare say she thought the snake had bitten--had
bitten one of us, Ben! That is right, hold the hat this way."

Ben dropped on his knees in the bottom of the boat, crushing down a
whole forest of Lina's wild flowers, and held up the hat reverently
between his hands.

Ralph put back the masses of brown hair from Lina's face, and began to
bathe it gently, almost holding his breath, as if she were a babe he was
afraid of waking.

"Isn't she a dear, generous creature?" he said, at last, with a burst of
admiration. "It took a fright like this, to prove how precious she was
to us all!"

Instantly, a cloud of crimson swept over Lina's face and bosom, and with
it came an illumination of the features, that made the young man tremble
beneath her light weight.

"Lina, dear Lina!" he whispered.

She arose from his arms, crimson again to the temples, and sat down in
silence, her eyes downcast, her lips trembling, as if a great effort
kept her from bursting into tears.

Ralph saw this, and his face clouded.

"What have I done? Are you angry with me, Lina?" he whispered, as Ben
pushed the boat off and gathered up his oars.

"Angry! No, I cannot tell. What has happened to us, Ralph?"

"Don't you remember, Lina?"

"Remember?--yes--now. Oh, it was horrible!"

"I, Lina, I shall always remember it with more pleasure than pain."

She lifted her eyes with a timid, questioning glance. The young man drew
close to her, and as Ben dashed his oars in the water, thus drowning
his voice to all but her, whispered--

"Because it has told me in my heart of hearts how entirely I love you,
Lina."

Her maidenly shame was aroused now. She shrunk from his glance, blushing
and in silence.

"Will you not speak to me, Lina?"

"What can I say, Ralph?"

"That you love me."

A little