"

"Clyde Farm is up for sale," replied Howard.

"I should like to ride over and see it," said Mr. Draper, musing.

"Not this morning," said Howard.

"This afternoon, then, will do as well."

"No," said Howard; "this is the only uninterrupted day I have with my
family, and it is our regular habit to attend public worship. To-morrow
morning we will ride over as early as you please, but to-day I hope you
will accept as a day of rest from business."

Mr. Draper had thought it quite impossible to give a part of the next
morning to his family, but he always found time for business.
Accordingly, when the morning arrived, they rode over to Clyde Farm.

"I remember that farm perfectly well," said Mr. Draper; "it was my
favorite resort when I was a boy."

"I remember those times too," replied Howard, "when I used to lie
stretched at full length by the side of the waterfall, getting my _amo,
amas_, and only now and then roused by the distant sound of your gun,
which put all the little birds to flight."

"Has it still that fine run of water?" asked Mr. Draper.

"Precisely the same," replied Howard; "this very stream that flows
through my pasture, and sparkles in the morning sun, comes from old
Clyde. Look this way, and see what a leap it takes over those rocks."

Clyde Farm was just such a spot as a romantic, visionary mind might
choose for its vagaries,--such a spot as an elevated, contemplative one
might select for its aspirations after higher hopes, which seldom come in
the tumult of life. Mr. Draper felt at once that the place was congenial
to the taste and habits of his wife; it awoke in his own mind the
recollection of his boyish days, and from these he naturally reverted to
the days of courtship, when he talked of scenery and prospect as
eloquently as Frances. With a light step he followed his brother along
the stream that came leaping and bounding from the hills, till they
arrived at the still little lake whence it took its course. The mists of
the morning had dispersed, and the blue sky and white clouds were
reflected from its glassy surface, while on its borders the deep, dark
foliage of the woods lay inverted. Both of the brothers stood silent
when they reached the edge of the water; both were impressed with the
beauty of the scene.

"How delighted Frances would be with this spot!" said Howard. "It is
like the calm, tranquil mirror of her own mind, which seems formed to
reflect only the upper world,