er another, and wondered under what
circumstances she should see them again if she saw them ever.

Helen was a Christian girl, and many a time had she prayed in secret
that He who rules the deep would keep its waters calm and still while
her sister was upon them, and she prayed so now, constantly, burying her
face once in her hands, and asking that Katy might come back to them
unchanged, if possible, and asking next that God would remove from her
heart all bitterness toward the bridegroom, who was to be her brother,
and whom, after that short, earnest prayer, she found herself liking
better. He loved Katy, she was sure, and that was all she cared for,
though she did wish he would release her before twelve o'clock on that
night, the last she would spend with them for a long, long time. But
Wilford kept her with him in the parlor, kissing away the tears which
flowed so fast when she recalled the prayer said that night by Uncle
Ephraim, with her kneeling by him as she might never kneel again. He had
called her by her name and his voice was very sad as he commended her to
God, asking that he would "be with our little Katy wherever she might
go, keeping her in all the mewandering scenes of life, and bringing her
at last to his own heavenly home."

Wilford himself was touched, and though he noticed the deacon's
pronunciation, he did not even smile, and his manner was very
respectful, when after the prayer over and they were alone, the
white-haired deacon felt it incumbent upon him to say a few words
concerning Katy.

"She's a young, rattle-headed creature, not much like your own kin, I
guess; but, young man, she is as dear as the apple of our eyes, and I
charge you to treat her well. She has never had a crossways word spoke
to her all her life, and don't you be the first to speak it, nor let
your folks browbeat her."

As they were alone, and it was easier for Wilford to be humble and
conciliatory, he promised all the old man required, and then went back
to Katy, going into raptures over the beautiful little Geneva watch
which Morris had just sent over as her bridal gift from him. Even Mrs.
Cameron herself could have found no fault with this, and Wilford praised
it as much as Katy could desire, noticing the inscription: "Katy, from
Cousin Morris, June 10th, 18--," wishing that after the "Katy" had come
the name Cameron, and wondering if Morris had any design in omitting it.
Wilford had not yet presented his father's gift,