d you, and he spoke of you so feelingly and told your story
with so much honest sympathy that he awoke my sympathy. Now you know
how it has all come about. You see it's all natural enough and simple
enough, and probably it's the best thing that could have happened for
us both. All you have to do is to get strong and well, and then it
won't be any one-sided affair, as you've been too much inclined to
think. I can go on and keep my farm and home just as my heart is bent
on doing. I want you to understand everything for then your mind will
be more satisfied and at rest, and that's half the battle in getting
over sickness and trouble like yours."

"I can only thank God and you for the great change in my prospects.
This quiet and escape from strangers are just what I most craved, and I
am already beginning to hope that if I can learn to do all you wish, I
shall find a content that I never hoped for," and the tears that stood
in her eyes were witnesses of her sincerity.

"Well, don't expect to learn everything at once. Let me have my way
for a while, and then you'll find, as you get strong, and the busy
season comes on, that I'll be so taken up with the farm that you'll
have your own way. Won't you have some more steak? No? Well, you've
enjoyed your supper a little, haven't you?"

"Yes," she replied, smiling. "I actually felt hungry when I sat down,
and the coffee has taken away the tired, faint feeling."

"I hope you'll soon be good and hungry three times a day," he said,
laughing pleasantly.

"You'll at least let me clear the table?" she asked. "I feel so much
better."

"Yes, if you are sure you're strong enough. It may make you feel more
at home. But drop everything till tomorrow when tired. I must go out
and do my night work, and it's night work now, sure enough--"

"It's too bad!" she said sympathetically.

"What! To go out and feed my stock this clear, bright night? And
after a hearty supper too? Such farming is fun. I feel, too, as if I
wanted to go and pat the cows all around in my gladness that I'm not
going to sell them. Now remember, let everything go till morning as
soon as you feel tired."

She nodded smilingly and set to work. Standing in the shadow of a
hemlock, he watched her for a few moments. Her movements were slow, as
would be natural to one who had been so reduced by illness, but this
every evidence of feebleness touched his feelings. "She is eager to
begin--too eager. No non