into the air and jumped like a boy, so
enthusiastic did he become.

"Ye'll make yerself more popular than ye air already, Jack, ef ye don't
watch out a little."

Wade knew his own power better than any other person. He merely smiled
at the old man's great enthusiasm, then turned to Nora, who had stood
listening to everything, feeling a higher admiration for Jack Wade.

"We'll take that trip to the brook to-day, if you like," he said. "The
day is so calm and the air so invigorating, it will do us good."

"I shall be pleased," she said. "Shall we go at once?"

"If it won't interfere with your duties at home."

"Nuthin' ter hinder," said Mrs. Judson; "she kin go when she wants."

The little wild flowers that earlier in the year were so bright and
happy were now a little drooped, having gone through the warm summer
with but little water; however, they still nodded approvingly as the two
passed astride the gentle steeds.

"When we were here last," said Wade, "the spring was just appearing and
everything was so beautifully green."

"The summer sun has been too much for the foliage and flowers," replied
Nora.

"That is only to remind us of what humanity must pass through," said
Jack. "The bloom of youth is upon us, we are now in the springtime of
our lives, fresh and gay; but the great hot summer of time must pass
over our heads to wither us as the summer sun has withered and drooped
the sweet little flowers. The cold winters of time must pass over us to
silver the golden curls and gray the hair as the summer sun has given a
golden tint to those once green leaves yonder."

"Oh, Jack, must it be so?"

"Do not look so sorrowful over it, child. Life is life, and must be
lived out in accordance with the will of the Almighty, maker of heaven
and earth. See how beautiful the golden-tinted leaves appear in the last
hours of their lives. They have done their duty, and the reward is
theirs; they toil no more, but man, who is born of woman, is of few days
and full of sorrow."

"While it seems that all is night to the poor woman whom God has seen
fit to place here as a helpmeet to man."

"You are looking through the darkness to-day, Nora."

"There seems no light, Jack."

"Yet it will break in on you, my child, when you are least expecting
it."

"Then there will be other things to worry over."

"My little fairy," said Wade, "you were not born to worry. Cease. It
makes you thin; you must not worry any more."

"How