ered by the side of the stream, Mary said,
"Well, Alfred, what do you think of the Colonel's proposition?"

"Yes," observed Emma, "you are a party deeply concerned in it."

"How so, dear coz?"

"Why, don't you perceive that if the mill is erected, you will be the
proper person to have charge of it? What a change of professions, from a
sailor to a miller. I think I see you in your coat, all white with
flour, coming in to dinner."

"My dear Emma, you don't intend it, I am sure, but you do not know that
you are inflicting pain upon me. When the Colonel made the proposition,
I felt the importance of it, as it would be a source of great profit to
my father; but at the same time, I don't know how it is, I have always
indulged the idea that we may not stay here forever, and this plan
appeared so like decidedly settling down to a residence for life, that
it made me low-spirited. I know that it is foolish, and that we have no
chance of ever removing--but still I can not, even with this almost
certainty before my eyes, keep my mind from thinking upon one day
returning to my profession, and the idea of becoming a miller for life
is what I can not as yet contemplate with any degree of composure."

"Well, Alfred, I only did it to tease you a little--not to hurt your
feelings, believe me," replied Emma. "You shall not be a miller if you
don't like it. Henry will do better, perhaps, than you; but as for our
quitting this place, I have no idea of it's being ever possible. I have
made up my mind to live and die in the Canadian woods, considering it my
wayward fate that all 'my sweetness should be wasted on the desert
air.'"

"Repining is useless, if not sinful," observed Mary Percival. "We have
much to be thankful for; at least we are independent, and if we are ever
to repay the kindness of our uncle and aunt, who must feel their change
of condition so much more than we do, it must be by cheerfulness and
content. I have been thinking as well as you, Alfred, and I'll tell you
what was in my thoughts. I looked forward to a few years, by which time,
as the country fills up so fast, it is very probable that we shall have
other settlers here as neighbors, in every direction. This will give us
security. I also fancied that my uncle's farm and property became of
value and importance, and that he himself became a leading man in the
district; not only at his ease, but, for a settler, even wealthy; and
then I fancied that, surrounded by oth