Year: 1875

So they hastened and went on board, and the boat went on her way. They sat on the upper deck, and the peaceful pan orama of dark shores and bright waters stole hehind them. Mabel seemed content to sit still near him, and he said little. bending over her and speaking low when he did, and gently, but with an undeci- ded. introverted air. Gradually the other passengers went in, until they two were left alone on the deck at the stern, It grew chilly and late, and he saw she was tired out, end thought it no wonder. He sat two long seats together in sheltered corner, gathered the cushions and arrang- ed them, and bade her lie down and rest. She hesltated a moment, and held his sleeve.

 ''You won't leave me?" she pleaded, with tremor half of weariness and half of fear. ''YouM be near if I fall asleep?" ''No, no. Mabel; don't be afraid" he replied. '.Tl be near you. Lie down and go to sleep, poor child; you're tired to death."

 So she nestled among the cushions in perfect trust, and slept through the mid night and dawn, while. Will sat by and kept his lonely vigil. Early in the morn- ing Mabel lifted her head, and stared about, confused and fearful for moment: then seeing Will, a glad look of recogni- tlon and contentment came over her, and she smiled and rose ont of her nest and came to him. The sun was rising, and they stood together looking at it minute or two; then he turned and saw how it's flush lit up her face, and she said:

 Have slept so long? And you have sat up all night. Poor Will, you must be very tired"

 ''No," he answered; ''I shall be all right when I've washed my face"

 So he put her in charge of the steward ess, and left her little while.

 The boat made an end of her voyage; across the wharf an excursion boat was starting. and they went aboard of her. They sat together at the bow in the balmy morning wind. Neither of them knew where they were going, and neither cared. The boat plowed on through breezy wa ters and morning sunshine, past islands of emeralds, and sloping shores beautiful as Paradise. The spices of woodland and balm of the clOver-felds hoated out to them; the happy twitter and warble of countless birds filled all the fields, and by and by from an orchard came the pathetic notes of the brown thrush, that fills the shady places with it's brief, rich. full toned call.

 Do you hear the thrush, Mabel?" he said. softly, and they isened to it's sing ing at intervals the same brief, touching carol, so calm, so evadingly sweet.

 'You remember 1t, Mabel?"

 ''Yes; we used to hear it in dark woods at home as we rode by. Hark p

 And the lonely carol came once more.

 ''Do you think it's happy bird, Ma bel?''

 II don't know" she answered. "I used to think it was mournful and lonesome in the dark places; but it it doesn't seem so now"

 She looked up at him as she spoke, with an expression of childlike trust and peace that brought feeling of tears into his own eyes as he said:

 ''No, 1t is not merry bird like the oth- CTS, but happy out of full heart like one who smiles through tears"

 So they went back and talked over all their childish days, as the ever-shifting stream of beauty drifted past them. and the boat made landing after landing. They were children again, wandering to- gether with no care, and nothing between them. A great joy took utter possession of Will. and he gave himself up to the one lmmeasurable happiness of being alone in the world with her, and having her look to him alone and want no other They sat by the rail and watched the white clouds form and float across the perfect sky; they walked the deck together to and fro, to and fro. Sitting or walking, talk ing or still, she was full of the sweetness and comfort of one got safe home after tempest and fear, and Will was fiercely happy just to know that, and have her to watch and hear and care for. The hours went by like minutes; he knew the sun was swinging up and up, and would have stayed 1t If strong desire had the power. The dinner gong startled him as if 1t had been knell. and an inarticulate cry for he knew not what swelled up in his heart, "Oh, my, God, my God!'

 The sun swung over and began to sink. And swifter than the swift morning the afternoon slid by in the same delectable dream, so happy that it trembled past the verge of pain. They stood together and watched the sun dip behind the fringe of trees over distant ridge. Across the waters streamed the molten gold, and all the scene was stceped in the hush and tender hues of sunset. He felt the slight pressure of he- fingers on his arm, and he grudged every inch of space between sun and horizon, and would have liked to have that sunset last for all time His eyes turned from the flaming west at last to the flushed cheek beside him that made his heart ache. it was so thin and trans parent in the crimson light. Presently she, too, turned, and something in his look seemed to disturb her vaguely, like one looked on steadfastly in sleep. Past him, her eyes went on to the wharves and shipping and spires of a city. They had spent the day in dream of the past; the inevitable present faced them now.

 "What place is that?" she asked. "Where are we going, Will?'

 He looked away toward the nearing town for minute or two, then turned back. "I don't know exactly yet" he answer ed. '.Is there any place you would like to go to, Or-or-?'

 But she looked up without doubt or questioning in her face and said:

 ''Oh, no; have no place 10 go to. can't go back where I was; they were very good, and I shall always love and be grateful to them; but can't go back, and I can never go anywhere alone again."

 She shuddered and drew close to him, and glanced around fearfully as if expect ing to see the hateful face that had haunt ed her to her wits end.

 Oh, no, I've no place, and no person in the world to go to but you. And I'm sure could have no better if had all the world to choose from. You were always my best friend, ,and know that what you do will be right. I will do whatever you say. I'm sorry if trouble you; was al- ways g trouble to you" r..

 ''No, nc" he answered hastily, ''it's anything but a trouble. You're very good to trust me 80. " E sssfag [

 He could nor say moreed The boat warped into her wharf where they had taken her in the morning. They went ashore and strolied in the city streets till evening drew on. By and by he perceived that she was tired, and looked about for a place of rest. There was hotel little way of, and he took her in, left her in the ladies' parlor minute, and came back and gave her key. tf- 5ds

 ''You can go up now," he. said; ''the vcta<