The Happy End

h an undisguised wonderment and frequent exclamations; there was a faint flush in Mrs. Braley's dun cheeks; Susan tried without success to strangle her cou

toward the front of the house, but she ignored his desire. She, more than any of the

ve me for that"-she turned cheerfully to Calvin-"but it's the truth. If you could do anything at all, Hannah, you'd lead a chorus and go in the olio. And you would draw at the stage d

was to marry him! He cursed silently at Richmond Braley's fatuous face, at Mrs. Braley's endorsement of all that her

lack winter morning and fight the kitchen fire. I don't. Some women are happy

is what I hate

e other agreed.

the jewels and dresses, the parties and elegant times; but there is never a whisper of it in Greenstream; nothing but

conversation," Phebe p

rose. "I might as well

up your happy home, only I want Hannah to have an idea

an round here," Mrs. Braley put in. "I

eservations. "You mustn't come down so hard on Calvin and m

ter to-morrow," Calvin t

fords. If there was a repetition of the past visit he would have something to say. Hannah was his, she was promised to him. He felt the coolness of her che

uld actually go away-leave him and Greenstream. No, it was a quality in Hannah herself, a thing that had always lurked below the surface, bey

e first time, had never been easy or contented or happy. It had been obscure, like the night about him now; it resembled a fire that he held in his bare hands. Hannah's particularity, too, w

r, in her bitterness and discontent. He felt that he hated

the moon detached itself from the fringe of mountain peaks and the frogs started insistently. His heart was heavy but his manner calm, determined, as he entered the Bral

lor, and Hannah's expression was distasteful; but she

er, but said instead: "I came t

ttle first," she replied indirectly. "S

ly. "We're honestly promised to each other an

ter. Perhaps it's a good thing she came when she did, and saved me