which we shun a serpent which
crosses our path.

THE RETURN; OR, WHO IS IT?

"IT'S nearly a year now since I was home," said Lucy Gray to her
husband; "and so you must let me go for a few weeks."

They had been married some four or five years, and never during that
time had been separated for a single night.

"I thought you called this your home," said Gray, looking up with a
mock-serious air.

"I mean my old home," replied Lucy, in a half-affected tone of
anger. "Or, to make it plain, I want to go, and see father and
mother."

"Can't you wait three or four months, until I can go with you?"
asked the young husband.

"I want to go now. You said all along that I should go in May."

"I know I did. But then I supposed that I would be able to go with
you."

"Well, why can't you? I am sure you might, if you would."

"No, Lucy, I cannot possibly leave home now. But if you are very
anxious to see the old folks, I can put you in the stage, and you
will go safely enough. Ellen and I can take care of little Lucy, no
doubt. How long a time do you wish to spend with them?"

"About three weeks or so?"

"Very well, Lucy, if you are not afraid to go lone, I have not a
word to say."

"I'm not afraid, dear," replied the wife in a voice hanged and
softened in its expression. "But are you perfectly willing to let me
go, Henry?"

"Oh, certainly," was answered, although the tone in which the words
were uttered had in it something of reluctance. "It would be selfish
in me to say no. Your father and mother will be delighted receive a
visit just now."

"And you think that you and Ellen can get along with little Lucy?"

"Oh yes, very well."

"I should like to go so much."

"Go, then, by all means."

"But won't you be very lonesome without me?" suggested Lucy, in
whose own bosom a feeling of loneliness was already beginning to be
felt at the bare idea of a separation from her husband.

"I can stand it as long as you," was Gray's laughing reply to this.
"And then I shall have our dear little Lucy."

Mrs. Gray laughed in return, but did not feel as happy at the idea
of "going home" as she thought she would be before her husband's
consent was gained. The desire to go, however, remaining strong, it
was finally settled that the visit should take place. So all the
preparations were made, and in the course of a week Henry Gray saw
his wife take her seat in the stage, with a feeling of regret at
parting which it re