Part 44 (1/2)

”Cheer up, my dear friend, there is suns.h.i.+ne enough for us all if we will only secure it, and we will attempt to woo a little of it when all together once more”; and then went out to join her husband who was impatiently waiting.

”A true little country miss to take such a walk,” he remarked as they rolled on towards the farm.

”She is used to it,” interposed the coachman with true ”Yankee” freedom; ”she has gone over this road lots of times when she wasn't the young lady she is to-day! You are her father I suppose?”

Lillian laughed. ”I have not introduced you, Frank. This is my husband, and I suppose you learned that Lily was my daughter when I was here before.”

”Yes ma'am; and I'm glad! But I needn't 'a' been told that for one would know it to look at you.”

”But a little more doubt about the father?” and Colonel Hamilton brought his hand down firmly on the shoulder of the Yankee questioner, while a merry peal of laughter rang out on the summer air.

”Wal--no; but there's the house--and the wheat is ripe enough this minute to harvest!”

”_I_ will go to the door,” said Lillian as they came to a halt at the gate; ”Mrs. Hopkins, without doubt, is very busy with her dinner, and we will not disturb her by waiting for a reception.” She stepped down while speaking and walked briskly towards the house. Before reaching it, however, the door flew open and Lily darted into the outstretched arms of her mother.

”I am so glad!” she exclaimed. ”Come--Willie is sick and it may be you can help him!”

”But, my dear, just wait for one moment; your father wants to see you!”

In her excitement she had not thought of the carriage, or the reasons for the unexpected visit, or anything but that the companion of many years had been lying insensible on the bed where the departed one had bid them both farewell so long ago! But the words startled her, and she raised her head from its sweet rest on the dear shoulder to discover a tall military officer standing before them. All the dreams of her maturer years, winged as they had been with glowing aspirations of ”what might be.” She had so longed to be something besides ”little Phebe,” to have wings and fly away up among the clouds; to be a bird on the highest tree on the summit of the mountain; and now what was she?

”My daughter! My Lily!” and as he looked at the wondering face his arms were outstretched for the sweet love his great heart was longing for.

Without a word the fairy form sprang into them and a pair of clinging arms were placed about his neck. Long and silent was the embrace for the heart was content.

”Darling, can you love your father? I am not as good-looking as the one you so much resemble, but will I do?”

The large eyes gleamed, and looking intently at him, said: ”I think you will!”

He caught her again in his arms and covered her beaming face with kisses.

”There, darling; now let us go to Willie, for I confess that my warmed heart is reaching out for him also.”

”O thank you! You will love him I know!” and she preceded her parents into the house. Mrs. Hopkins came forward to greet her visitors with traces of tears still on her cheeks.

”He is better now, and the doctor says it is only overexertion in the hot sun and perhaps a little worry with it,” and she led the way to his room.

”I am so glad,” Lily was saying with her arms about his neck as they entered. ”We will not go out again until it is cooler!”

”But--” He saw Mrs. Hamilton and reached out his hand.

”Here is my husband, Willie, who has learned your worth before seeing you.”

”A dull scholar I should be certainly if I had not.”

”And you find me only a poor cripple who is obliged to creep through the dust just like any other worm!” He tried to smile but it proved a failure.

”No, my boy; not through the 'dust' just now, but into my heart, where, thank G.o.d, there is plenty of room for you!”

The physician, who had stepped out as they entered now returned, and walking up to the bed said, kindly: ”You are all right now, Willie, but you must be a little careful of yourself for a few days and keep in the shade.” And then he went away.