Fred S. Lincoln

“ Aunt Faribee and Millie were at once equalized in years by their motherly delight over her change. Solicitous and happy they watched her with great enjoyment. "Si" came up, half-bashful and unintrusive, smiling joyously to see her there before the window, serene and smiling contentedly. Kent also came to see her, and, while he talked restrainedly with Aunt Faribee and Millie mostly, Virgie's eyes were animated with a splendid enjoyment, and a flush suffused her wan cheeks whenever he addressed himself to her. ”

“ Events moved quickly now for Kent. He counted away the days, then the weeks, as he yearned for the time when she should be well and strong again. The plans for the new church had reached a settlement. The little community, in supposed secrecy from their parson, worked over them with the greatest interest, and when the details were all arranged they laid before him their proposition. That was a happy hour. Kent accepted their offering with delight, though he was near dumb from the gratitude which surged within him. ”

“ I have not the energy to inflict myself with very weighty things to-day. It is too deliciously warm."
"If not serious, then I may share the thought with you?" he suggested.
"Certainly. Come over here by the window and I will show you," she said, interestedly, and when he was close by her side she asked: "If that bud can come out and reach the form it has in four or five days—you see it begins to show already the shape it will be in summer, why does it not—now listen closely—why does it not keep on growing at its present rate as the weather becomes warmer?" ”

“ Tell me more?"
"There is nothing more that I can tell," he replied evasively. "Landy has proven himself Snellins' friend when Snellins needed friendship most; that is all. Yet it is the thing that makes me wish to befriend Landy now. It is causing me to solocit your friendship for him."
"He is a dear," she said. "I shall love him for his goodness. And Martin—did she, too, have a part in it?"
"She certainly did," he replied.
"Isn't it funny," she said, "no one has ever said anything of it to me, not even Martin?"
"No one but Martin knew, and she was cautioned against speaking of it ”

“ Kent observed.
"Your right they air, but they suits me the shorter they gits," "Si" said positively, and Kent smiled languidly, while another pause followed.
"Ain't y' goin' up? She's all alone," "Si" said after a time, and Kent arose and climbed the stairs quietly. Standing in the open doorway he leaned against the casement and watched Virgie. ”