romise anything to anyone? And if so--to
whom?... Kyllikki, you know me well enough to understand what
I mean. It is no light question, and no easy one to answer.

"As far as I myself am concerned, I believe I see my way
clear. And therefore I ask you--will you venture out upon the
water with me once more--not the mere crossing of a little
stream, but for a voyage that may lead we know not where? I
cannot be sure that we should ever reach safely to land, only
that if your hand is still free to give, and you are willing,
and can trust me enough to offer it, then I will never let go,
whatever may come.

"And one thing more--could a daughter of Moisio venture to
share the lot of a poor settler? I can offer nothing more, and
would not if I could. If she will, then I can dare anything.

"Again--would you _wish_ to join your life with mine? Or do
you despise me, perhaps? I will not try to defend myself,
and it would be useless in any case, for I know that little
matters would not influence your decision; all must rest on
what you think of me as a whole, and that is fixed already.

"One thing most of all--let there be no question of pity or
giving out of charity. I fancy neither of us would ever give
or take in that way, but I have heard say that pity counts for
much in a woman's heart. Myself, I do not think pity can go
far, if the earlier feeling is once dead. And you know best
yourself whether that is so.

"Is your father still alive? And does he still think as
before? But it makes no difference now. Once _we_ are agreed,
ten fathers could make no difference. I feel now that I can do
what I will.

"And that is all for now, Kyllikki. You know how anxiously I
wait to hear from you--your answer means very much to me. But
I know it will be clear and true, whichever way it may be.
OLOF.

"My address is, Olof Koskela, as above."

* * * * *

"KOHISEVA, 2 _Oct_. 1897.

"OLOF,--Your letter found me. Kyllikki is unchanged--and
you, I see, are much as I had thought you would be. Proud and
exacting as ever, though not perhaps in quite the same way.
And well it is so, for if _you_ had seemed otherwise I should
have suspected at once.

"Yes, I will venture. I am ready to venture anything. I did
not even need to think it over; I had de