AIKENSIDE



stealing through the window told that morning
was breaking, but neither Guy nor Maddy heeded
the lapse of time. Theirs was a sad kind of
happiness as they talked together, and could Lucy
have listened to them she would have felt sat-
isfied that she was not forgotten.  One long,
bright curl, cut from her head by his own hand,
was all there was left of her to Guy, save the
hallowed memories of her purity and goodness-
memories which would yet mold the proud, im-
pulsive Guy into the earnest, consistent Christian
which Lucy in her life had desired that he should
be, and which Maddy rejoiced to see him.


             CHAPTER XXIV

                    FINALE

  THE close of a calm September afternoon, and
the autumnal sunlight falls softly upon Aiken-
side, where a gay party is now assembled. For
four years Aladdy Clyde has been mistress there,
and in looking back upon them she wonders how
so much happiness as she has known could be
experienced in so short a time. Never but once
has the slightest ripple of sorrow shadowed her
heart, and that was when her noble husband,
Guy, said to her, in a voice she knew was earnest
and determined, that he could no longer remain



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