Beth Woodburn

ot return till well on in the evening. Aunt Prudence gave her the customary warning about not staying late and Beth went off with a lighter heart than usual. It was a d

were swinging under the cherry-tree. Yes, marriage and home must be sweet after all. Beth had always said she nev

the place and scarcely noticed the great old lawn, the trees almost concealing the house: that pr

other ever since the Mayfairs had come to Briarsfield three years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Mayfair were sitting on the veranda. Beth had always loved Mrs. Mayfair; she was such a bright girlish woman, in spite of her dignity and soft grey hair. Mr. Mayfair, to

le table that caught Beth's attention. It was Mr. Ashley, the classical master in Briarsfield High School, for Briarsfield could boast a High School. He and Edith had become very f

at I was going to t

are you and

thought you

h laughed a little hysterically. Beth was used to these

is it

will be my bridesmai

pro

iage is the grandest in

e look in her eyes, and the

with Edith and her betrothed opposite. It was so pleasant and h

nt for a promenade through the long grounds toward the lake. Beth never forgot that walk in all her life to come. Somehow she did not seem herself. All her ambition and struggle seemed at rest. She was a child, a careless chil

e me over to the island

over the water. It was, perhaps, one of the mos

s cliff and watch a thunderstorm c

Woodburn. Edith would rather hi

and hear the thunder crash and the storm beat outside. Somehow, I always feel more deeply that God is great and powerful, an

I got in a thunderstorm one tim

ton Arthur?" interrupted Cla

ny it would seem to ca

voice almost trembled,-"Beth,

des," she continued after a pause, "Arthur is going away off somewhere to be a miss

eth. She forgot Clarence

e, Beth? Don't you s

ame over her, and she threw both arms about his neck as he clasped her to his breast. The stars

I am so happy,

incense. They walked on along the shore, happy lovers, weavi

e else is as happy

e! I mean to always be kinder and to

Beth. May God b

est and manly before. Yes, she was

supposed; that it would be several years before he himself could marry. But Beth's brow was not clouded. Sh

reached the house. Edith was playing her g

id Mrs. Mayfair with a motherly air. "I'm afraid you wi

nd said something in a low tone.

er. I shall have another daughter i

ith fastened her cape and kissed her fondly when she was going home. Clarence went with her, and somehow everything was so dream-like and unre

ere last night and thought about the roses. She took them out of her belt now. A sweetly solemn feeling stole over her, and she crossed over and knelt at the window, the withered roses in her hand, her face upturned to heaven. Sacred thoughts filled her mind. She

right beneath hers! She held her breath almost as she stole out and leaned over the balustrade to peer into the parlor. Why, it was Arthur! Was it possible he could play like that? She made a striking picture as sh