The change that came into his face! I don't think words can tell it. I called him "plain" just now, but he wasn't plain then. The ruggedest face can be made beautiful, if the light of a great joy is shining through it. "Kitty, do you mean it? Kitty, you're not glad really! Tell me that again," says he, all hoarse and shaky. "Of course I'm glad," said I. "Don't you know how unkind I was before you went away? I have always wanted to tell you I was sorry." "O Kitty!" says he, and he couldn't go on. "But you don't know why we are here, or about poor father?" I said. "Yes, yes, I've heard all," said he. "I went to my mother first, and she and Mr. Armstrong told me everything. But I wouldn't let them write. I wanted to find you out, and see for myself." He didn't say what it was he wanted to see. "Where have you been all this while?" I asked. "Sit down, Rupert." I was noticing how he'd grown taller, and how he was readier in speech, and didn't slouch as he used. "Ah! I've lots to tell you," said he. "Been in Scotland all this while. Got into a goods-yard, and had to begin at the bottom, as there wasn't anybody to speak for me. And I'm working my way up. But I'll find something to do nearer home, as soon as ever I can. And, Kitty—" "And you never wrote once to your mother all this while!" "No," said he, "I didn't; and it's been wrong. I didn't see that so clearly till lately, but it's been wrong, and I told my mother so. She don't mind now, though, now I'm back. And, Kitty—" I suppose I knew what was coming. Any way, I didn't try to stop it. I just sat still. And when he asked over again the same question he had asked once before, I never thought of running away. For I was willing to have him. * * * * * * * * * We could not marry for a good while. Rupert had to work his way, and he had to look after his mother and sister. He had done wrongly, as he said, staying so long away, and he owed them a lot of help and kindness. But I promised I would be his wife one day, when the right time should come, which wasn't for a matter of four years and more. Mother and Mary and Mrs. Bowman and everybody was pleased. Rupert had his faults, there's no doubt; still he had right principle, and he was warm-hearted, and he did work hard and try to get on. Father and mother always had said there was "stuff" in him, and it showed more and more as years went by. Any way, I've never had reason to be sorry for the answer I gave, the second time he asked me to marry him. He's been a good husband to me. I don't say he has ever been my father's equal, for that he isn't; and Rupert would say so himself. I know he would. But that's not saying he isn't what he is; and I wish there were a lot more men as good as my Rupert. Twenty years later still, Rupert was appointed stationmaster at Claxton. So then I went back with him to the dear old home of my girlish days. That's where I have written all this long story. THE END.