t try as he would the face of the girl kept
smiling in between; and all the beauties of the way combined to bring
back the ride he had taken with her; until finally he let his fancy
dwell upon her with pleasant thoughts of how it would be if she were
his, and waiting for him at the end of his journey; or better still,
riding beside him at this moment, bearing him sweet converse on the way.

The little shack stood silent, familiar, in the setting sunlight, as he
rode up to the door, and gravely arranged for Billy's comfort, then with
his upward look for comfort he went towards his lonely home and opening
the door stood wondering upon the threshold!

XVI

THE LETTER

It was only an instant before she opened her eyes, for that subconscious
state, that warns even in sleep of things that are going on outside the
world of slumber, told her there was another soul present.

She awakened suddenly and looked up at him, the rosiness of sleep upon
her cheeks and the dewiness of it upon her eyelids. She looked most
adorable with the long red slant of sunset from the open door at her
feet and the wonder of his coming in her face. Their eyes met, and told
the story, before brain had time to give warning of danger and need of
self-control.

"Oh, my darling!" the man said and took a step towards her, his arms
outstretched as if he would clasp her, yet daring hardly to believe that
it was really herself in the flesh.

"My darling! Have you really come to me?" He breathed the question as
though its answer meant life or death to him.

She arose and stood before him, trembling with joy, abashed now that
she was in his presence, in his home, unbidden. Her tongue seemed tied.
She had no word with which to explain. But because he saw the love in
her eyes and because his own need of her was great, he became bolder,
and coming closer he began to tell her earnestly how he had longed and
prayed that God would make a way for him to find her again; how he had
fancied her here in this room, his own dear companion--his wife!

He breathed the word tenderly, reverently and she felt the blessing and
the wonder of the love of this great simple-hearted man.

Then because he saw his answer in her eyes, he came near and took her
reverently in his arms, laid his lips upon hers, and thus they stood for
a moment together, knowing that after all the sorrow, the longing, the
separation, each had come into his own.

It was some time before Haz