e called from the window: "Morris! oh, Cousin
Morris! I've come!" his heart gave a great heavy throb, for he knew
whose voice that was and whose the little hand beckoning to him. He had
supposed her far away beneath Italian skies, for at the farmhouse no
intelligence had been received of her intended return, and in much
surprise he reined up to the rear door, and throwing his lines to a boy,
went forward to where Katy stood, her face glowing with delight as she
flew into his arms, wholly forgetful of the last night's lecture on
dignity, also forgetful of Wilford, standing close beside her. He had
not tried to hold her back when, at the sight of Morris, she sprang away
from him; but he followed after, biting his lip, and wishing she had a
little more discretion. Surely it was not necessary to half strangle Dr.
Grant as she was doing, kissing his hand even after she had kissed his
face a full half dozen times, and all the people looking on. But Katy
did not care for people. She only knew that Morris was there--the Morris
whom, in her great happiness abroad, she had perhaps slighted by not
writing directly to him but once. In Wilford's sheltering care she had
not felt the need of this good cousin, as she used to do; but she was so
glad to see him, wondering why he looked so thin and sad. Was he sick?
she asked, gazing up into his face with a pitying look, which made him
shiver as he answered:

"No, not sick, though tired, perhaps, as I have at present an unusual
amount of work to do."

And this was true--he was usually busy. But that was not the cause of
the thin face, which others than Katy remarked. Helen's words: "It might
have been," spoken to him on the night of Katy's bridal, had never left
his mind, much as he had tried to dislodge them. Some men can love a
dozen times; but it was not so with Morris. He could overcome his love
so that it should not be a sin, but no other could ever fill the place
where Katy had been; and as he looked along the road through life he
felt that he must travel it alone. Truly, if Katy were not yet passing
through the fire, he was, and it had left its mark upon him, purifying
as it burned, and bringing his every act into closer submission to his
God. Only Helen and Marian Hazelton interpreted aright that look upon
his face, and knew it came from the hunger of his heart, but they kept
silence; while others said that he was working far too hard, urging him
to abate his unwearied labors, fo