talk so to _everybody_,"--I said, meaningly, coming closer to
her again and taking one of her hands captive.--"Do you know why I like
to let you know my deeper thoughts, Min, and learn more of my inner
nature than others?" I whispered, bending over her.

"N-o!" she said, faintly, turning away her head.

"Because, Min--" I said, hesitatingly, almost abashed at my own
rashness--"because, I--I--love you!"

She said nothing in reply; but she bent her head lower, so that I could
not see her face; and, the little hand I held, trembled in my grasp.

At this point, too, our conversation was interrupted by the vicar asking
Bessie Dasher and her sister to start the "Canadian Boat Song," in which
we all joined in harmony:--the music, borne far and wide over the
expanse of resonant water, sounding like some fairy chorus of yellow-
haired sea-maidens, singing fathoms deep below in ocean caves!

When I was seeing her home, however, after we had all arrived at the
vicarage, and separated severally with a cheerful "good-night," I was
able to prosecute my wooing.

We were walking along side by side--she declined taking my arm, being
shy, and quite unlike the frank, straightforward Min whom I had before
known. I was not downhearted at this change, though:--I really felt
shy, and nervous, myself!

As soon as we had got a safe distance from the others, and there was no
fear of being overheard in the stillness of the night, I again spoke to
her.

"Min," I said, "do you remember what I said to you just now when we were
on the river?"

She made no answer; but, quickening her steps, walked on hurriedly, I
still keeping pace by her side.

"Min, my darling," I said once more, "I love you dearer than life.
Won't you try to like me a little in return? Won't you listen to me?
Won't you hear me?"

"O-oh, Frank!" she exclaimed.

"Ever since I first saw you in church, so many long months ago, Min, I
have thought of you, dreamt of you, loved you!"--I proceeded,
passionately.--"O, my darling! my darling! won't you try and like me a
little; or, have I been deceived in thinking that you could care for
me?"

"I _do_ like you, Frank," she said, softly, laying her little hand on my
arm.

I seized it in transport, and put it within my arm proudly.

"Sweet!" I said, "_liking_ alone will not do for me! You must learn to
love me, darling, as I love you! Will it be very hard?"

"I don't know, Frank, I can try," she said, demurely; look