word.

"You know I have loved you always--since the night that Harry took me
home with him. My fancy has never wandered from you, all these years.
Rose, you must know I love you, dearly. I have only that to plead. I
know I am not worthy of you, except for the love I bear you."

He had begun quietly, as one begins a work which needs preparation, and
strength, and courage, but his last words came between pauses, broken
and hurriedly, and he repeated,--

"I know I am not worthy."

"Oh! Charlie, don't say such foolish words to me." And Rose gave him a
single glimpse of her face. It was only a glimpse, but his heart gave a
great leap in his breast, and the hand that lay on the gate which
separated them trembled, though Rose did not look up to see it.

"Rosie," he whispered, "come down to the brook and show me Harry's
waterfall."

Rose laughed, a little, uncertain laugh, that had the sound of tears in
it; and when Charlie took her hand and put it within his arm, she did
not withdraw it, and they went over the field together.

Graeme had been watching them from the porch, and as they passed out of
sight, she turned her eyes toward Mrs Snow, with a long breath.

"It has come at last, Janet," said she.

"I shouldna wonder, dear. But it is no' a thing to grieve over, if it
has come."

"No. And I am not going to grieve. I am glad, even though I have to
seek my fortune, all alone. But I have Will, yet," added she, in a
little. "There is no word of a stranger guest in his heart as yet. I
am sure of Will, at least."

Mrs Snow smiled and shook her head.

"Will's time will come, doubtless. You are not to build a castle for
yourself and Will, unless you make room for more than just you two in
it, dear."

Emily listened, smiling.

"It would be as well to leave the building of Will's castle to himself,"
said she.

"Ah! yes, I suppose so," said Graeme, with a sigh. "One must build for
one's self. But, Emily, dear, I built Rosie's castle. I have wished
for just what is happening over yonder among the pine trees, for a long
long time. I have been afraid, now and then, of late, that my castle
was to tumble down about my ears, but Charlie has put his hand to the
work, now, in right good earnest, and I think my castle will stand."

"See here, Emily," said Mr Snow, coming in an hour or two later, "if
Mr Millar thinks of catching the cars for Boston, this evening, you'll
have to hurry up your tea."

"But h