So they remained, while hour after hour went by.
The noonday was upon them when again the old face brightened and the quavering voice said slowly:
“Yes, yes, I love her just as well.”
The silence that followed was not broken again, and soon the faithful sisters spread the white sheet over the dear dead.
That night, as they sat together in Mrs. Mountain’s stately parlor, Honora said with a sigh:
“Perhaps, Letitia, it is just as well the Colonel never spoke to you about marriage. His family was not so good as our own, but I thought it strange he could see you so often and not love you.”
And Letitia startled Mrs. Plum by contradicting her.
“Child alive, Honora! I always knew the Colonel loved the ground you trod on.”
OUR LITTLE NEIGHBORS.
A first of April story.