"O, I hope that you will. It's wonderful to feel sure and safe about everything that you believe. If you think I'm so young, it's no use talking. But I'll remember your promise when I come to New York." "How do you know that the Church will send you to New York?" "Because I've asked God to make it so," she answered simply. Dr. Cadman sighed. "How beautiful is youth, how bright it gleams! There! I won't say the rest!" "O, but I know it," laughed Betty. "With all it's illusions, aspirations, dreams! You know that reminds me of an old woman, with false hair, false teeth, and wrinkles, whining over her lost beauty! Why are people so sickly in poetry! Do you know what I would like that second line to be?" "Out with it," laughed Cadman. Betty's eyes danced with merriment. "How beautiful is youth, how bright it gleams, Except to sour old fogies, who failed to catch sunbeams!" "So, Miss Betty, I'm a sour old fogie?" asked Dr. Cadman laughing. Betty blushed furiously. "Oh, no, I didn't mean _you_," she said quickly. "It's well that you didn't, young lady," returned Cadman, greatly amused with this child of the hills. "Now to change the subject, do you know anyone in New York?" "Only one perfect lovely lady," returned Betty. "She came to Ephraim two years ago, and preached so wonderfully--everyone gave up their beer, and some their pipes. I did love her so! I've written but she's never answered. I suppose that she's moved, or that I have the wrong address." "What's her name?" "Mrs. Webster Catt." "Not a pleasant name," said Cadman, "I'll keep my eye open for her, and when I locate her, I'll let you know." "O, thank you so much!" exclaimed Betty, "Look! A storm is coming up over the mountain. Is it not wonderful?" "Let us rest here on the rock and watch it," said Cadman. "We have time to get home after." So together they watched the storm approach. At first the entire mountain seemed overhung with black, ominous clouds. The great calm preceding a storm filled the atmosphere, making it heavy and foreboding. "It's just like a heart before a great sorrow, isn't it?" she asked dreamily. "What is?" asked Cadman vaguely. "Why, every mountain has a heart, you know," answered Betty. "Now she feels a terrible premonition. Something is wrong. She's brooding over it." Cadman looked up at the clouds in silence. A lurid streak of lightning lit up the darkness. Another, and another, each more vivid than the last! "Look! Her great sorrow strikes her! Lash upon lash! It hurts her--it is so vivid and sharp!" "Fanciful child!" exclaimed Cadman, following the girl's gaze with interest. "Suddenly there was a rift in the clouds,--the black masses rolled apart from each other and a soft, snowy cloud appeared. "Now, what?" asked Cadman curiously. "A friend has come," returned Betty quietly. "A sweet comforting friend, trying to console and help her."