allowed the stale cake and muddy coffee that the
slatternly landlady produced, and afterwards, as she was being helped
to get back into her riding dress, bestowed upon her a little lilac wool
frock from her trunk that the woman admired greatly. From that moment
the landlady of the stopping place was a new creature. Missions and
missionaries had been nothing to her through the years, but she believed
in them forever after, and donned her new lilac gown in token of her
faith in Christianity. Thus Hazel won her first convert, who afterwards
proved her fidelity in time of great trial, and showed that even a lilac
gown may be an instrument of good.

Out into the starlight together again they rode, with the blessing of
the bishop upon them, and the cheers of the men still sounding in their
ears.

"I wish mother could have known," said the bridegroom as he drew his
bride close within his arm and looked down upon her nestling by his
side.

"Oh, I think she does!" said Hazel as she dropped a thankful, weary head
against his shoulder. Then the missionary stooped and gave his wife a
long, tender kiss, and raising his head and lifting his eyes to the
starlit sky he said reverently:

"Oh, my Father, I thank Thee for this wonderful gift. Make me worthy of
her. Help her never to regret that she has come to me."

Hazel crept her hand into his free one, and laid her lips upon his
fingers, and prayed all quietly by herself for gladness. So they rode
out to their camp beneath God's sky.

Three days later an Indian on the way to the fort turned aside with a
message for Hazel--a telegram. It read:

"Arrived safe. Married Burley to once so I could
see to him. Do come home right away. Burley says
come and live with us. Answer right away. I can't
enjoy my new home worrying about you.

"Yours respectful,
"AMELIA ELLEN STOUT BURLEY."

With laughter and tears Hazel read the telegram whose price must have
cost the frugal New England conscience a twinge, and after a moment's
thought wrote an answer to send back by the messenger.

"DEAR AMELIA ELLEN: Love and congratulations for
you both. I was married to John Brownleigh the
night you left. Come out and see us when your
husband gets well, and perhaps we'll visit you
when we come East. I am very happy.