cross the hills if you think I can find my way. Perhaps I
shall meet your husband."

"That will be very good of you," and Mrs. Benton's face somewhat
brightened. "You should have no trouble about finding the way, for as
soon as you reach the top of the hill you will obtain a splendid view
of the river and the surrounding country. Even if you cannot find any
path up there, you ought to be able to see Mrs. Dempster's house off in
the distance."

"I shall make out all right, I am sure," Douglas replied, as he rose to
go. "I have never been out on the hills, so it will be nice to get the
view from the top."

He found the climb a long and tiresome one. The hot sun seemed to
strike the hillside with extra intensity, and there was not a breath of
wind abroad. Once he sat down under the shade of an old fir tree and
mopped his hot face with his handkerchief. Even from here the view of
the river was magnificent, and what must it be from the summit?

When at length he gained the top, he stopped and looked around. Then
an exclamation of surprise and awe burst from his lips at the
entrancing panorama which was thus suddenly presented to his view.
Miles and miles of the river, unruffled by a breath of wind, lay
glittering in the sunshine. Acres of meadow land, dotted with houses,
and broken by tracts of forest, stretched out before him. Peace was
upon land and river. It was a magic world upon which he gazed with the
ardent soul of a lover of things beautiful and grand.

Having thus rested and revelled in Nature's marvellous handiwork, he
turned and looked across the hills toward Mrs. Dempster's house. As he
did so his eyes caught sight of a lone figure sitting upon a rock some
distance away. Peeling sure that it was the shoemaker, he hurried
forward and in a few minutes was by his side. Joe did not seem at all
surprised at the young man's presence, although his weary face
brightened a little.

"It is a great view from here," Douglas began. "I have never seen
anything like it."

"What do you see?" the old man asked.

"Why, the river, and that fine stretch of country to the right and
left."

"Yes, I suppose you're right, though I have not noticed them this
morning. I have been seeing other things."

"What things?" Douglas enquired, as he sat down upon the rock by Joe's
side.

"Jean, of course. My Jean and all her troubles are ever before me. I
can see nothing else. How can I?"

"But you should, Mr. B