"Who would believe," he said, breaking the long silence, "that six years ago I was at work in the mills at the Forge—a wild, reckless, godless boy. Did Mr. Carleton ever tell you how I stoned him the first time he visited the mills?"
"He didn't," Daisy answered, with a quick laugh; "but Edward has. Doesn't it seem funny now?"
"Yes, it does now to laugh over it; and I'm not sure but that was my very first step toward my present life, strange as it may seem. Do you know I have not been up here since I went down to Long Point farm yonder to work? Can it be possible that it is five years ago?"
"And yesterday you preached very acceptably for the First Church people," added Daisy, gleefully. "Ray Branford, the stone-throwing rascal, has in a little over six years become Mr. Ray Branford, the preacher. What a cause for wonder!"
"Behold what God has wrought," said Ray, gratefully. Then he turned and took the little hand of that fair young girl in his. "Daisy," he went on, vehemently, "my whole life is known to you. Nothing is hid. What I was, you know; what I am, and what I hope to be by God's grace, you also know. One thing only have I kept from you. So long have I loved you I can hardly tell when that love began. Perhaps it was when you stood on the wharf and called me back to give me those skates. Again and again have I been on the point of declaring my love. I can refrain no longer. I know my happiness and my usefulness depends largely upon—yea, wholly upon your walking through life by my side as my wife. Tell me, darling, is my love returned?"
As he began, those bright eyes had drooped, a quick flush had swept over her face, and the little hand he held trembled in his grasp. As he closed, her head dropped upon his shoulder, and she burst into tears; but they were tears of joy.
"What is it, Daisy?" he asked, anxiously, throwing his strong arm around her, and drawing her a little closer to him, "do you not love me?"
"Oh, Ray," she exclaimed, smiling through her tears, "I have loved you so very, very long, and I have been afraid you did not love me as I loved you. I knew you cared for me as you might for a sister, but I knew I loved you more than all others beside. Not until last night did I feel sure you loved me as you do, and I thought you would speak to me to-day of this. I cannot tell you how unworthy I feel to help you in your life work; but truly, darling, I will be the best little wife and helpmeet for you that I, with God's help, can be."
For answer, he pressed the first kiss he had ever given her upon her lips; and then he said, gently: "Shall we not ask Jesus to bless us in our love, and to grant us many years together in his work, Daisy?" Then they knelt while Ray prayed with a fervor and faith he had never manifested before, after which they slowly started down the hillside on their return to the village.
They immediately sought Mrs. Lawton, and with his arm thrown around the blushing girl, Ray manfully told his story, and asked for the mother's sanction and blessing.