CHAPTER XXII.
"Our love, it ne'er was reckoned, Yet good it is and true; It's half the world to me, dear, It's all the world to you." -- Hood.
Edward was a trifle late in obeying the call to breakfast.

He found the rest of the family already seated at the table, and great was the surprise created by his entrance.
"Why, how's this?
hae we all been sleepin' a week or ten days ?" exclaimed Mr.Lilburn.

"The lad was to hae been absent that length o' time, and I thought it was but yesterday he went; yet here he is!" "This is an unexpected pleasure, my dear boy," was his mother's greeting.
The others said "Good-morning," and all smilingly awaited an explanation.
"Good-morning to you all," returned Edward, taking his seat.

"Of course I have not had time to attend to the business matter that took me away; but the fact is, I found I could not do without my wife, so came back after her." "Where is she now ?" asked his mother.
"I left her still in bed and asleep.

I came home by the stage, found her awake--indeed, I think she said she had not slept at all--and kept her awake for some time talking----" "So much to say after so lengthened a separation ?" laughingly interrupted his grandfather.
"Yes, sir, a good deal," Edward answered, coloring slightly.