"Come and see," was his only answer, as he turned into a side path leading toward an exquisitely beautiful house whose columns of very light gray marble shone through the green of the overhanging trees with most inviting beauty. Before I could join him, I heard a well-remembered voice saying close beside me: "I just had to be the first to bid you welcome!" and looking around, I saw the dearly-beloved face of my old-time friend, Mrs. Wickham. "Oh! Oh!" I cried, as we met in a warm embrace. "You will forgive me, Col. Sprague," she said a moment later, giving her hand cordially to my brother. "It seems unpardonable to intercept you thus, in almost the first hour, but I heard that she was coming, and I could not wait. But now that I have looked upon her face, and heard her dear voice, I will be patient till I can have her for a long, long talk." "You must come in and see her now," said my brother cordially. "Do, do come!" I urged. "No, dear friends, not now. You know, dear little Blossom," (the old pet name for me years ago) "we have all eternity before us! But you will bring her to me soon, Col. Sprague?" she said. "Just as soon as I may, dear madam," he replied, with an expressive look into her eyes. "Yes, I understand," she said softly, with a sympathetic glance at me. Then with a warm hand-clasp, and the parting injunction, "Come very soon," she passed swiftly out of my sight. "Blessed woman!" I said, "what a joy to meet her again!" "Her home is not far away; you can often see her. She is indeed a lovely woman. Now, come, little sister, I long to give you welcome to our home," saying which, he took my hand and led me up the low steps on to the broad veranda, with its beautiful inlaid floor of rare and costly marbles, and its massive columns of gray, between which, vines covered with rich, glossy leaves of green were intermingled with flowers of exquisite color and delicate perfume hanging in heavy festoons. We paused a moment here, that I might see the charming view presented on every side. "It is heavenly!" I said. "It is heavenly," he answered. "It could not be otherwise." I smiled my acknowledgment of this truth--my heart was too full for words. "The entire house, both below and above, is surrounded by these broad verandas. But come within." He led me through a doorway, between the marble columns, into a large reception hall, whose inlaid floor, mullioned window, and broad, low stairway at the far end, at once held my fancy. Before I could speak, my brother turned to me, and, taking both my hands, said: "Welcome, a thousand welcomes, dearest sister, to your heavenly home!" "Is this beautiful place indeed to be my home?" I asked, as well as my emotion would allow. "Yes, dear," he replied. "I built it for you and my brother, and I assure you it has been a labor of love." "It is your home, and I am to stay with you?" I said, a little confused.