potence at its close. There was something of hope in this vision; a
man's hand had broken the spell of weakness.

Part II

_APRIL DAYS_

_Days of witchery subtly sweet,
When every hill and tree finds heart,
When winter and spring like lovers meet
In the mist of noon and part--
In the April days._

_Nights when the wood-frogs faintly peep--
Tr-eep, tr-eep--and then are still,
And the woodpeckers' martial voices sweep
Like bugle-blasts, from hill to hill,
Through the breathless haze._

_Days when the soil is warm with rain,
And through the wood the shy wind steals,
Rich with the pine and the poplar smell,--
And the joyous soul like a dancer, reels
Through the broadening days._

_--From "Prairie Songs."_

CHAPTER I

This dream gave to Clement, in Ellice's eyes, a glamour of mystery and
power--beyond the subtlety of words, and she met him in a spirit of
awe and wonder, such as a child might feel to find one of its
dream-heroes actually beside the fireside in the full sunlight of the
morning. The fear and agony and joy of the night's vision gave a
singular charm to the meeting.

It startled her to find she still retained the capability of being
moved by the sound of a man's voice. It seemed like a wave of
returning life.

Her heart quickened as she saw him enter the dining-room and look
around for her--and when his eyes fell upon her a light filled his
face which was akin to the morning. She did not attempt to analyze
the emotion thus revealed, but she could not help seeing that he
looked the embodiment of health and happiness.

He wore a suit of light brown corduroy with laced miner's boots, and
they became him very well.

He smiled down at her as he drew near.

"You are better this morning, I can see that."

It was exactly as if he knew of her dream, and that the walk had been
actual, and a flush of pink crept into her face--so faint it was no
one noticed it--while it seemed to her that her cheeks were scarlet.
What magic was this which made her flush--she whom Death had claimed
as his own?

Mr. Ross invited Clement to sit with them, as she hoped he would.
Clement had, indeed, intended to force the invitation. "I'm going for
a gallop this morning," he said in explanation of his dress. "I wish
you could go too," he added, addressing Ellice.

Mr. Ross introduced him to the elderly woman: "Mr