The tone was hearty, and with a dash of chivalrous sentiment rarely heard in a smithy. His look of half-parental, half-admiring fondness was touching to see. "Oh, Uncle Ralph," she replied, "I am never melancholy when I see you. You have all the cheerfulness of this spring day in your face." "Y-yes, I hev to stay here in the old shop; b-but I hear the b-birds in the mornin', and all day I f-feel as ef I was out under the b-blue sky, an' rejoicin' with all livin' creaturs in the sun and the s-sweet air of heaven." "I envy you your happy frame; everything has some form or hue of beauty for you. I must have you read to me again. I never take up Milton without thinking of you." "I c-couldn't wish to be remembered in any p-pleasanter way." "Well, good evening. I must hurry home, for it grows damp here by the mill-race. Tell Lizzy and Anna to come and see me. We are quite lonesome now." "P-p'raps Mark'll come with 'em." "Mark? Is he here? When did he come?" "H-he'll be here t-to-night." "You surprise me!" "'Tis rather s-sudden. He wrote y-yes-terday 't he'd g-got to come on urgent b-business." "Urgent business?" she repeated, thoughtfully. "I wonder if Squire Clamp"---- The blacksmith nodded, with a gesture towards his children, as though he would not have them hear. "Yes," he added, in a low tone, "I g-guess that is it." "I must go home," said Mildred, hurriedly. "Well, G-God bless you, my daughter! D-don't forgit your old sooty friend. And ef ever y-you want the help of a s-stout hand, or of an old gray head, don't fail to come to the ber-blacksmith's shop." "Thank you, Uncle Ralph! thank you with all my heart! Good-night!" She walked lightly up the hill towards the principal street. But she had not gone half a dozen yards before a hand grasped her arm. She turned with a start. "Mark Davenport!" she exclaimed, "Is it you? How you frightened me!" "Yes, Mildred, it is Mark, your old friend" (with a meaning emphasis). "I couldn't resist the temptation of giving you a little surprise." "But when did you come to town?" "I have just reached here from the station at Riverbank. I went to the house first, and was just going to see Uncle at the shop, when I caught sight of you." Mark drew her arm within his own, and noticed, not without pleasure, how she yet trembled with agitation. "I am very glad to see you," said Mildred; "but isn't your coming sudden?" "Yes, I had some news from home yesterday which determined me to come, and I started this morning." "Quick and impetuous as ever!" "Yes, I don't deliberate long." There was a pause. "I wish you had only been here to see father before he died." "I wish I might have seen him." "I am sure _he_ would never have desired to put you to any trouble." "I suppose he would not have _troubled_ me, though I never expected to do less than repay him the money he was so good as to lend me; but I don't think he would have been so abrupt and peremptory as Squire Clamp."