of
delinquent servants, she could do so to her utmost content, and without
having to accompany her kind act with a deep sigh at the anticipation of
the parlor storm it would raise at home. And though Mrs. Henrietta still
"waxed fat," her good flesh was no longer an incumbrance to her--the
leaven of cheerfulness lightened the whole mass.

Mrs. Waugh had brought her old maid Jenny back. Jenny had begged to come
home to "old mistress" for she said it was "'stonishin how age-able,"
she felt, though nobody might believe it, she was "gettin' oler and
oler, ebery singly day" of her life, and she wanted to end her days
"'long o' ole mistress."

Old mistress was rich and good, and Luckenough was a quiet, comfortable
home, where the old maid was very sure of being lodged, boarded, and
clothed almost as well as old mistress herself--not that these selfish
considerations entered largely into Jenny's mind, for she really loved
Mrs. Henrietta.

And old mistress and old maid were never happier than on some fine,
clear day, when seated on their two old mules, they ambled along through
forest and over field, to spend a day with Lapwing or with Hebe--or
perhaps with the "Pigeon Pair," as they called the new married couple at
the villa.

Yes; there was a time when Mrs. Henrietta was happier still! It was,
when upon some birthday or other festival, she would gather all the
young families--Thurston and Hebe, Cloudy and Lapwing, the Pigeons, and
all the babies, in the big parlor of Luckenough, and sit surrounded by a
flock of tiny lapwings, hebes and pigeons, forming a group that our
fairy saucily called, "The old hen and chickens."

And what shall we say in taking leave of Thurston and Marian? He had had
some faults, as you have seen--but the conquering of faults is the
noblest conquest, and he had achieved such a victory. He called Marian
the angel of his salvation. Year by year their affection deepened and
strengthened, and drew them closer in heart and soul and purpose. From
their home as from a center emanated a healthful, beneficent and
elevating influence, happily felt through all their social circle. A
lovely family grew around them--and among the beautiful children none
were more tenderly nursed or carefully trained than the little waif,
Angel. And in all the pleasant country neighborhood, the sweetest and
the happiest home is that of Dell-Delight.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MISSING BRIDE***

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