existed had they not found each other, a being with the traits of each
combined, it seems to me as if their souls should blend somehow as
never before. They are one then, to a certainty. They have become a
unit in the great scheme of existence. And so, darling, I have thought
and thought much. I have dreamed of you as the little mother, the one
who would not be of the silly modern type, the one who, with me, would
not be ashamed any more than were our sturdy ancestors of a sturdy
family, should we be blessed so. The one who would be glad with me in
the womanhood and manhood of it. And, as I said, it could never part
us. It would but make me more totally your own, more watchful, if that
were possible, more tender, if that could be, more worshipful of you in
the greater life of us two together, us two more completely. And that
is all. It shall be as you say, and I will not complain, for I know
your impulse in what you said and all its lovingness."

She had listened to each word intently, and her face had flushed and
paled alternately. When he had done she snuggled more closely to him,
and still said nothing. When she did speak, this is what she said, and
she said it earnestly:

"I was wrong, my husband; I was a selfish, infatuated woman, who loved
with one foolish idea which marred its fullness. You have taught me
something, dear. You could not give me the thought I had again, even
were you to try yourself, for I see it now. And----"

She put her arms about his neck and buried her fair face upon the
pillow which afforded her such convenient shelter. As for the man,
there was something like a lump in his throat, but he spoke with an
effort at playfulness, though his voice wavered a little:

"It is right, my love. And we will visit this nature of ours together.
It is the season now, and next week we go camping. I want to show old
friends of mine, the spirits of the forest, how fair a wife I've won."

And, a few days later, there was a pretty little scene down town.
"Sportsmen's Goods," the sign above the doorway said, and in the
windows were numerous wooden ducks and dainty rods of split bamboo, and
glittering German silver reels and gaudy flies, and a thousand things
to delight the heart of a fisherman or hunter. Enter, a
broad-shouldered gentleman and a haughty wisp of a woman, the latter a
trifle embarrassed, despite her stateliness.

"How are you, Jack?"

This to the proprietor of the place, as