on reflected that such could only be the
gossip of envious tongues and of old women.

[Illustration: The saw-mill.]

They passed the saw-mill where Nat had spent so large a portion of his
youth. Ivo was particularly pleased to see a fine walnut-tree flourishing
in front of it, under the protection of the overtopping hill-side.

They ascended the hill on the other side. Ivo knew that a mile among
neighboring farmers is of an elastic character; but he had not expected
to find the distance greater than four miles,--as he did. Being very
impatient, he relieved the boy of the heavy ploughshares, to enable the
latter to keep up with him. The pitchy scent of the sun-stricken firs
recalled the memory of home: he saw himself again seated on the harrow
with Nat, in the field in the Violet Valley, singing and rejoicing.
The associations of childhood danced around him. Having reached the
"Wind-Corner," Ivo saw the well-known little cabin, from the window of
which a pale female face was looking. It was Lizzie of the Corner,
returned to her former solitude.

"How strange," thought Ivo, "that the Church should venture to prohibit
what the Bible expressly enjoins! According to the Old Testament, the
brother of a decedent was required to marry the childless widow; and
this the canonical law expressly forbids. Nat and Lizzie could never
marry." With a brush of his hand Ivo banished from his mind all
remembrances of theological difficulties.

In the neighborhood of the great farm-house the roads were in fine
condition. The stately building did not appear until they were almost
at the door. Ivo saw Nat raking hay, while several farm-hands were at
work around him. He did not run toward him, but set his bugle to his
lips and played the tune of the old song,--

"Up yonder, up yonder,
At the heavenly gate,
A poor soul is standing
In sorrowful strait."

Then he cried "Nat," and they were in each other's arms.

* * * * *

After long pathless wanderings, our story has reached a smooth highway
which will bear it rapidly to its close. Ivo remained with Nat, who
treated him like a brother. As one of the richest farmers in the
country, he could do much for him without feeling a sacrifice. He went
to Nordstetten as his proxy, and brought Emmerence, with whom, on a
bright, happy day, Ivo was united.

All the villagers, and even his