w; they murdered a harmless peddler last winter, and
attacked a peaceable teamster this spring."

"Still, my dear, there is no danger; we have a pair of double-barreled
pistols loaded, and also a blunderbuss; and we are three men, and you
are as good as a fourth; so don't be afraid."

Hannah was silenced, if not reassured.

They journeyed on at a rate as fast as the rather tired horses could be
urged to make. When the sun had set it grew dark, very dark in the
forest. There was no moon; and although it was a clear, starlight night,
yet that did not help them much. They had to drive very slowly and
carefully to avoid accidents, and it was indeed midnight when they drove
up to the door of Hannah's new home. It was too dark to see more of it
than that it was a two-storied white cottage with a vine-clad porch, and
that it stood in a garden on the edge of the wood.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE NEW HOME.

It is a quiet picture of delight,
The humble cottage, hiding from the sun
In the thick woods. You see it not till then,
When at its porch. Rudely, but neatly wrought,
Four columns make its entrance; slender shafts,
The rough bark yet upon them, as they came
From the old forest. Prolific vines
Have wreathed them well and half obscured the rinds
Original, that wrap them. Crowding leaves
Or glistening green, and clustering bright flowers
Of purple, in whose cups, throughout the day,
The humming bird wantons boldly, wave around
And woo the gentle eye and delicate touch.
This is the dwelling, and 'twill be to them
Quiet's especial temple.

--_W.G. Simms_.

"Welcome home, Hannah! welcome home, dearest woman! No more hard work
now, Hannah! and no more slaving at the everlasting wheel and loom!
Nothing to do but your own pretty little house to keep, and your own
tidy servant girl to look after! And no more anxiety about the future,
Hannah; for you have me to love you and care for you! Ah, dear wife!
this is a day I have looked forward to through all the gloom and trouble
of many years. Thank God, it has come at last, more blessed than I ever
hoped it would be, and I welcome you home, my wife!" said Reuben Gray,
as he lifted his companion from the wagon, embraced her, and led her
through the gate into the front yard.

"Oh, you dear, good Reuben, what a nice, large house this is! so much
better than I had any reason to expect," said Hannah, in surprise and
delight.

"You'll like it bett