She received the same answer again. "It is twelve miles," she
exclaimed; "who ever heard of such a thing? You must be tired to
death."

She put out her hand, which he took tremblingly.

"Let us go sit down on the bench," she said, "and then we can talk
about things. I am perfectly delighted that you came," she added
when she had seated herself, with the marigolds and the lily in her
lap. "It will seem just like old times; just think how long ago it
was that I saw you last, Arthur,--three whole years! And do you
know, as I left the town I thought of you, and that I might find you
here."

The young man's face flushed with pleasure.

"But I'd forgotten you since!" went on the girl, eyeing him
mischievously; "for oh, I was so happy, coming down the old, old
path, and seeing all the old sights! Things haven't changed a bit,
Arthur; the woods look exactly the same, and the bridge hasn't
altered a mite since the days we used to sit on the edge and let our
feet hang in. Do you remember that, Arthur?"

"Perfectly," was the answer.

"And that was over a dozen years ago! How old are you now,
Arthur,--twenty-one--no, twenty-two; and I am just nineteen. To-day
is my birthday, you know!"