e, at their right hand; and they who were left at home felt
strange emotions of loneliness steal over their hearts, at the thought
that the venerable and beloved form then vanishing from sight might
never more repose beneath that roof.

There was no quarreling nor loud words among the children, that morning,
as they set out for school; but their faces were expressive of unusual
soberness, and their young hearts quite sad; until the bright birds
singing by the way-side, the breezes playing in their hair, and the
sunshine flooding all the earth, dispelled their gloom, and led them to
forget that the gentle old man they loved was riding on his journey, to
his field of labor far away.

XXXII.

REUNION.

A little more than two years had passed away. It was in "peach-time."
There was a merry group of young people in Mr. Royden's orchard, one
mild September afternoon.

There was Chester, proud, happy, overflowing with wit. He was just
married, and had come home, to pass a few days, with his fair bride.

She was a perfect doll; beautiful to look upon, with her soft eyes, fair
cheeks, ringlets and symmetrical form; but there was not much character
in her face. Her love for Chester was of the romantic kind. Although
they had been a week married, she could not relish a peach unless he
gave it her with a smile, having taken out the stone and tasted it
himself first.

Sarah was there, too,--now Mrs. Kerchey. Let not the reader be
surprised. Having broken that gentleman's arm, she could not make up her
mind to break his heart also, when he came to woo. He had qualities
which she was bound to respect; and at length she saw that, casting all
prejudice and false pride aside, she could bestow upon him a large
portion of love. Yet she never would have married him, had it not been
for her mother's persuasion.

Parents like to see their children well situated in life. Mrs. Royden
could not rest until she heard Sarah addressed as Mrs. Kerchey. This
amiable young couple had been married eighteen months; they were very
comfortable, and quite happy; Mr. Kerchey had greatly improved in
personal appearance; and the sweet little baby, that Lizzie seemed to
carry forever in her arms, and devour with kisses, was their property.

Lizzie was a "great girl." But she was very ladylike in her manners. She
gave promise of becoming a noble woman. Already she was beginning to
have beaux, but she was sensible enough not to care much for th