people, in the general
observance of such a festival.

"The announcement of the good news that you are to visit the farm in
time to attend our first arbor day celebration, on the tenth of next
month, has made our people very happy. They are simply wild with delight
at the prospect of seeing you so soon: of having an opportunity to thank
you in person for the many favors you have so generously bestowed upon
them. Hitherto they have admired and adored the beautiful and generous
young patroness of Solaris Farm, through the medium of a life-size
crayon portrait, made some months ago, from one of your recent
photographs. Since then, this lovely shadow of the idol of my heart,
adorned by a suitable frame, has occupied the post of honor, as the
only picture on the walls of the library. The advent of such a charming
picture, at once converted the library into the throne room of the
village, where gathered daily, admiring throngs of our people to feast
their eyes in silent worship at the shrine of this life-like shadow of
your lovely face. In thus exposing this picture, so dear, so sacred to
me, to the earnest and respectful admiration of our people without your
knowledge or consent; I trust, Dear Heart, that I may not have outraged
your sense of propriety in the slightest degree. It occurred to me that
it would be just and right, also most fitting and proper that, as the
patroness of the farm, your portrait should appear in the place it now
occupies; that it would be the most appropriate method of linking your
individuality, in the minds of our people, with the peculiar work and
destiny of the farm. If you consider my action from this point of view,
I am sure you will approve. Like some good fairy, the silent charm of
your portrait has each day, each hour, wrought its perfect work in my
life and in the lives of our people. It has proved a constant source of
delight! An added talisman to insure the final success of our
enterprise!

"Ah, my good angel! my Princess Charming! At last comes the crowning
thought which completes my wreath of happiness! It comes to me daily,
again and again! It is this, Dear Heart; that every step toward the
final and complete success of Solaris Farm, is an added link in the
chain of a shining destiny which shall bind our lives more firmly
together, until at last this beautiful chain of love shall have become
proof against the dissolving power of the passing ages of an Eternity!

"In conclusion, sw