she had come to live on the farm alone, except
for her two faithful servants, secure in the belief that her duty lay
here in the desert.

Thus they talked till bed-time, and at daybreak Joseph cleared a pathway
through the snow-drifts and made ready to conduct the stranger to his
destination. Elizabeth and John bade each other farewell at the gate,
the latter promising to return for the Meeting in May.

Time went on, till at length the cold winter was at an end and balmy
spring came over the land, bringing the song of birds and covering the
earth with flowers. One pleasant morning in May a long procession of men
and women, among them John Estaugh, came riding past on their way to the
Meeting in the neighboring town. On the way they halted at Elizabeth's
farm to rest and partake of the rye bread, currant wine, and honey fresh
from the hives, which were offered to them in generous abundance. Then
Elizabeth, Hannah, and Joseph mounted their horses and prepared to set
out with the others, but when they had started, Elizabeth lingered a
little behind and whispered to John, "Tarry a while, for I have
something to tell thee which must not be lightly spoken in the presence
of others since it concerns me and thee only."

Slowly they rode through the woods together, and the morning was so
bright and fair that it was a pleasure just to be alive. Then Elizabeth
said slowly, as if it were a secret she felt compelled to reveal, though
she would fain have kept it hidden: "I will no longer conceal what is
laid upon me to tell thee; I have received from the Lord a charge to
love thee, John Estaugh."

[Illustration]

Somewhat surprised at the frank words the maiden had spoken, John made
answer: "All thy ways, thy words and meekness of spirit are indeed
pleasant to me, but as yet I have no voice to direct me in this
matter. When the work which the Lord has appointed for me is ended, I
will commune with my own heart and wait for its guidance."

Then Elizabeth said tranquilly: "It is best so. We will not speak
further on the matter, but I had to tell thee this, for to-morrow thou
art going away across the sea and I know not when I shall see thee
again. But, if God wills, thou wilt return again to seek me and will
find me still here." And they rode onward in silence to join the others
and entered the town in their company.

Thus Elizabeth and John met and parted once more like "Ships that pass
in the night, and speak to each other in