"It might be——" he said and looked at her.
Betty's warm cheek was close to his as she whispered: "Dear Eb!" The rest only the colonel heard.
"Well! By all that's glorious!" he exclaimed, and attempted to seize her; but with burning face Betty fled.
* * * * *
"Jack, dear, how the leaves are falling!" exclaimed Helen. "See them floating and whirling. It reminds me of the day I lay a prisoner in the forest glade praying, waiting for you."
The borderman was silent.
They passed down the sandy lane under the colored maple trees, to a new cottage on the hillside.
"I am perfectly happy to-day," continued Helen. "Everybody seems to be content, except you. For the first time in weeks I see that shade on your face, that look in your eyes. Jack, you do not regret the new life?"
"My love, no, a thousand times no," he answered, smiling down into her eyes. They were changing, shadowing with thought; bright as in other days, and with an added beauty. The wilful spirit had been softened by love.
"Ah, I know, you miss the old friend."