Then the young head drooped, and the face turned away.
The last ray of sunlight gleamed upon her hair and pure white forehead, and then fled away--the day was ended.
Verty saw it, and held out his hand.
"We have had a happy evening, at least I have," he said, in a low voice; "the autumn is so beautiful, and you are so kind and good." She did not speak; but a faint wistful smile came to her lips as she placed her hand softly in his own.
"Look! the picture is smiling on you now!" said Verty; "you are just alike--both so beautiful!" "Oh!" murmured Redbud, blushing; "like mamma ?" "Yes," said Verty, "and I saw the lips smile when I spoke." They stood thus hand in hand--the tender mother-eyes upon them: then he turned and went away, looking back tenderly to the last.
Had the dim canvas smiled upon them, as they stood there hand in hand--a blessing on them from the far other world?
.