will--when you're hungry. And Kate said--"

Bertram uttered a sharp word behind his teeth.

"Billy, for heaven's sake don't tell me what Kate said, if you want me
to stay sane, and not attempt to fight somebody--broken arm, and all.
Kate _thinks_ she's kind, and I suppose she means well; but--well, she's
made trouble enough between us already. I've got you now, sweetheart.
You're mine--all mine--" his voice shook, and dropped to a tender
whisper--"'till death us do part.'"

"Yes; 'till death us do part,'" breathed Billy.

And then, for a time, they fell silent.

"'I, Bertram, take thee, Billy,'" sang the whirring wheels beneath them,
to one.

"'I, Billy, take thee, Bertram,'" sang the whirring wheels beneath them,
to the other. While straight ahead before them both, stretched fair and
beautiful in their eyes, the wondrous path of life which they were to
tread together.

CHAPTER II. FOR WILLIAM--A HOME

On the first Sunday after the wedding Pete came up-stairs to tell
his master, William, that Mrs. Stetson wanted to see him in the
drawing-room.

William went down at once.

"Well, Aunt Hannah," he began, reaching out a cordial hand. "Why, what's
the matter?" he broke off concernedly, as he caught a clearer view of
the little old lady's drawn face and troubled eyes.

"William, it's silly, of course," cried Aunt Hannah, tremulously, "but
I simply had to go to some one. I--I feel so nervous and unsettled!
Did--did Billy say anything to you--what she was going to do?"

"What she was going to do? About what? What do you mean?"

"About the house--selling it," faltered Aunt Hannah, sinking wearily
back into her chair.

William frowned thoughtfully.

"Why, no," he answered. "It was all so hurried at the last, you know.
There was really very little chance to make plans for anything--except
the wedding," he finished, with a smile.

"Yes, I know," sighed Aunt Hannah. "Everything was in such confusion!
Still, I didn't know but she might have said something--to you."

"No, she didn't. But I imagine it won't be hard to guess what she'll do.
When they get back from their trip I fancy she won't lose much time in
having what things she wants brought down here. Then she'll sell the
rest and put the house on the market."

"Yes, of--of course," stammered Aunt Hannah, pulling herself hastily to
a more erect position. "That's what I thought, too. Then don't you think
we'd better dismiss Rosa and close the house a