go abroad to complete a
collection of lepidoptera for Union University, leaving her in charge
of his brother's family. His letters had been frequent, and so tender
and loving that the question of recognition had never occurred to her.

The houses became fewer as Beatrice reached the edge of town where the
main street became a turnpike with green fields on either side, and a
clear view of the distant hills. It was a beautiful April day. At the
opening of the month spring had smiled invitingly; then, as though
repenting her forwardness, she had retreated for a time, advancing again
with coy hesitancy until today all her windows were open toward summer.
In the zenith was a blue so soft and dreamy that it drew the soul as
well as the eye toward it. A haze of Tyrian hue purpled the hills that
encircled the little town, and mellowed the glory of the sunshine. There
were splashes of green in the meadows so delicate as to be almost
yellow, and along the brooks the willows played their fast greening
boughs against a background of gray wood color. The very earth was
odorous and the air was like balm, but Beatrice, usually susceptible to
the beauties of Nature, was in too abstracted a mood to be conscious of
the loveliness about her.

"But of course he would know me," she told herself at length,
reassuringly. "Why, I should know him, and I was only five years old
when he went away."

And with this she laughed aloud that she should have been so foolish as
to consider for even a moment the absurd possibility of her father's not
knowing her, and with her customary brightness of spirit restored she
quickened her steps, and soon reached her uncle's place.

There were many acres in the estate. Henry Raymond was a well to do
lawyer, and the walk to the dwelling lay through a large orchard. As Bee
came in sight of the house the door opened, and a girl, about her own
age, came out on the piazza, and ran down the steps to meet her. She was
an extremely pretty girl. A slim graceful figure was hers, with a proud
little head and sunny, shining hair that hung about her face with its
beautiful blue eyes like a halo. She seemed rather the personification
of loveliness than a flesh and blood maiden.

"What made you so late, Bee?" she cried. "I have been watching for you
fully an hour."

"I staid to help Professor Lawrence for one thing; then the girls
stopped me to talk with them. They want us to go to Edna's tomorrow
afternoon. Will you be