"And dear old Joe's, too. His will be a blessing worth while."
"What about Jake? We must not forget him, and his 'Great punkins!'
Why, he'll need a whole field of them to express his astonishment."
They both laughed heartily like two children at the thought of the good-natured farmer. Then Nell rose to her feet.
"My, it is getting late!" she exclaimed, "and what will father say? We must go home at once. We shall have a supper to-night that will be worth while."
Along the sandy beach they made their way. The old pine seemed to stand a little straighter, as if proud of what it had just witnessed. The birds flitted to and fro, and their chirpings sounded like sweet congratulations. Even the branches of the trees along the shore appeared to bend a little lower to bestow their silent benediction. All the sweet and beautiful things of Nature were in glad attune with the young lovers as they turned their faces toward the unknown future lying golden and mystic in the lap of the years.