beautiful.

There were tears in her eyes, and in the eyes of the boy as they spoke
about the one who was gone, and the kind dusk hid the sight so that
neither knew, but each felt a subtle sympathy with the other, and before
Hanford started upon his desolate way home under the burden of his first
sorrow he took Mary Ann's slim bony hand in his and said quite stiffly:
"Well, good night, Miss Mary Ann. I'm glad you told me," and Mary Ann
responded, with a deep blush under her freckles in the dark, "Good night,
Mr. Weston, and--call again!"

Something of the sympathy lingered with the boy as he went on his way and
he was not without a certain sort of comfort, while Mary Ann climbed to
her little chamber in the loft with a new wonder to dream over.

Meanwhile the coach drove on, and Marcia passed from her childhood's home
into the great world of men and women, changes, heartbreakings, sorrows
and joys.

David spoke to her kindly now and then; asked if she was comfortable; if
she would prefer to change seats with him; if the cushions were right; and
if she had forgotten anything. He seemed nervous, and anxious to have this
part of the journey over and asked the coachman frequent questions about
the horses and the speed they could make. Marcia thought she understood
that he was longing to get away from the painful reminder of what he had
expected to be a joyful trip, and her young heart pitied him, while yet it
felt an undertone of hurt for herself. She found so much unadulterated joy
in this charming ride with the beautiful horses, in this luxurious coach,
that she could not bear to have it spoiled by the thought that only
David's sadness and pain had made it possible for her.

Constantly as the scene changed, and new sights came upon her view, she
had to restrain herself from crying out with happiness over the beauty and
calling David's attention. Once she did point out a bird just leaving a
stalk of goldenrod, its light touch making the spray to bow and bend.
David had looked with unseeing eyes, and smiled with uncomprehending
assent. Marcia felt she might as well have been talking to herself. He was
not even the old friend and brother he used to be. She drew a gentle
little sigh and wished this might have been only a happy ride with the
ending at home, and a longer girlhood uncrossed by this wall of trouble
that Kate had put up in a night for them all.

The coach came at last to the town where they were to stop for d