Grandpa Dinsmore was particular about it, and she did not wish to give Edward fresh cause for displeasure.
As she galloped swiftly up the avenue, she was surprised to see him pacing the veranda to and fro, watch in hand, while his horse stood near ready saddled and bridled.
As she drew rein close by the veranda steps, Edward hastily returned his watch to its fob, sprang forward, and lifted her from the saddle.
"Good-morning, little wife," he said with an affectionate kiss as he set her down, yet still keeping his arm about her.

"I was not so kind as I might, or should have been last night, but you will not lay it up against your husband, love ?" "No, of course not, Ned," she returned, looking up into his face flushed and happy, that so loving an apology had been given her in place of the reproof she expected; "and you won't hate me because I was cross when you were ?" "Hate you, love! No, never! I shall love you as long as we both live.

But I must say good-by.

I am summoned away on important business, and shall have hardly time to catch the next train." "You might have told me last night," she pouted, as with another kiss he took his arm from her waist and turned to leave her.
"I did not receive the summons till half an hour ago," he answered, hastily mounting his steed.
"When will you come back ?" she asked.
"I hope to be with you by tea-time, this evening.

Au revoir, darling." He threw her a kiss and was gone, galloping so rapidly away that in a minute or two he was out of sight; all the more speedily to her because her eyes were blinded with tears as she stood motionless, gazing after him.
It was their first parting, and there came over her a feeling that, should he never come back, the world would be a desert, nothing left worth living for.
"Never mind, dear child, it is for only a few hours, if all goes well," said a kind sweet voice at her side.
"Yes, mamma, but--oh, I wish he never had to go away without me! And why couldn't I have gone with him this time ?" she sobbed, beginning to feel herself quite aggrieved, though the idea of going with Edward had but just occurred to her.
"Well, dear, there really was not time to arrange that," Elsie said, embracing her with motherly affection.