happiness and love
which only comes with respect, yet would meet with adventure, would dare
fate and hazard chance with fickle fortune. The prospect to her mind was
more pleasing than to be the wife of a gentleman farmer and grow fat and
matronly--the other chance just then offered.

For the first time she appraised his virtues and was pleased with his
appearance. She wondered if he had sense enough to keep still when
silence was golden, and could be taught at opportune times to shift the
shower of his eloquent eulogy of himself to an ambitious friend.

Caleb and Rosamond passed two hours of the afternoon together in the
parlor of the old mansion undisturbed in their communion by the
portraits of her patrician ancestors; the living members of her family
walked softly, even when they passed the closed door. When she received
they dared not intrude, though they had never felt more curious or been
more surprised than at this protracted visit.

As Caleb rose to leave, he took her hand and said: "I have shorely
enjoyed my call and am coming again next Sunday afternoon."

"Do, Mr. Saylor! I shall keep the date for you. It is not becoming in
neighbors to be so unsociable or see so little of each other," and
slowly, after a lingering pressure, she withdrew her hand.

The next Sunday afternoon Caleb called again. He came at two and when he
left the spring sun had kissed the fields goodnight. To Rosamond's great
surprise, he proposed.

"We are scarcely acquainted, Mr. Saylor. Though we have been neighbors
for years, you have denied me the pleasure of your visits. You know a
girl can not call upon a man. How do you know that you love me as you
should? I have never thought about you as a husband, though I find your
company most agreeable. You must give me another week before you press
for an answer."

"I will press you now and let you say 'yes' again next week."

And they laughed and the bride-to-be blushed, and with downcast, dreamy
eyes, slowly yielding to the increasing pressure of his strong, young
arm, unexpectedly found her head nestling in contentment and happiness
upon his broad shoulder.

That night she disturbed the peace and quiet of the family circle by
announcing that she was to be a June bride and Mr. Saylor was to be the
groom.

Her mother rose and kissed her and in tears resumed her seat without
speaking. Her father grew red of face and swore that the upstart should
never again put foot upon the place,