dearer and dearer to each other as the years roll on. Never a day passes
that he does not tell me of his love by word and deed, and the story is
as sweet to me now, as when first I heard it."

"Ah, good wives make good husbands," said Mr. Travilla, who had entered
unobserved, just in time to hear the eulogy upon him. "Boys, let each
of you get a wife like mine, and you can not fail to be good husbands."

"Good husbands make good wives," she retorted, looking up into his face
with a fond smile as he came to her side.

"The trouble is to find such," remarked Horace, regarding his sister
with tender admiration.

"True enough," said Travilla, "I know not of her like in all the length
and breadth of the land."

Catching sight of Mr. Dinsmore pacing the veranda alone, Calhoun slipped
quietly away from the rest and joined him.

"Uncle," he said, coloring and dropping his eyes, "I think you doubt
me."

"Have I not reason, Calhoun?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, looking searchingly
into the lad's face.

"Yes, sir, I own that appearances are strongly against me, and I can not
disprove the tale they tell; but--oh, if you could trust me still,
uncle!"