e been accepted; if not, you may know it is
all up with your heartbroken brother,

"G.N.R."

Gregory having finished this letter, read it over with much approval,
put it in an envelope, addressed it, and sat contemplating the inkpot,
somewhat relieved in mind.

The evening turned out chilly and very windy after the day's heat. From
afar off, as Gregory neared the homestead on the brown pony, he could
distinguish a little figure in a little red cloak at the door of the
cow-kraal. Em leaned over the poles that barred the gate, and watched
the frothing milk run through the black fingers of the herdsman, while
the unwilling cows stood with tethered heads by the milking poles. She
had thrown the red cloak over her own head, and held it under her chin
with a little hand, to keep from her ears the wind, that playfully shook
it, and tossed the little fringe of yellow hair into her eyes.

"Is it not too cold for you to be standing here?" said Gregory, coming
softly close to her.

"Oh, no; it is so nice. I always come to watch the milking. That red cow
with the short horns is bringing up the calf of the white cow that died.
She loves it so--just as if it were her own. It is so nice to see her
lick its little ears. Just look!"

"The clouds are black. I think it is going to rain tonight," said
Gregory.

"Yes," answered Em, looking up as well as she could for the little
yellow fringe.

"But I'm sure you must be cold," said Gregory, and put his hand under
the cloak, and found there a small fist doubled up, soft, and very warm.
He held it fast in his hand.

"Oh, Em, I love you better than all the world besides! Tell me, do you
love me a little?"

"Yes, I do," said Em, hesitating, and trying softly to free her hand.

"Better than everything; better than all the world, darling?" he asked,
bending down so low that the yellow hair was blown into his eyes.

"I don't know," said Em, gravely. "I do love you very much; but I love
my cousin who is at school, and Waldo, very much. You see I have known
them so long!"

"Oh, Em, do not talk to me so coldly!" Gregory cried, seizing the little
arm that rested on the gate, and pressing it till she was half afraid.
The herdsman had moved away to the other end of the kraal now, and the
cows, busy with their calves, took no notice of the little human farce.
"Em, if you talk so to me I will go mad! You must love me, love me
better than all! You must give yourself to me. I have loved you