“When Eva laughs it drives away Life’s shadows as the golden dawn Dispels upon its rosy way The darkness of the night time born. As though the azure slipped aside From heaven and let a sweet song through, Her happy laugh can thrill the heart Till fainting hope springs up anew!” Gran’ther Groves slapped his knee a resounding blow and chuckled with delight. “I swan, it’s true as the Gospel--every word on’t! Now, what smart young man writ that pretty verse, honey?” “Who writ it, indeed?” echoed Miss Ruttencutter, with open scorn and secret envy. But Eva could only blush up to the edge of her curly hair and falter: “I--I--don’t know!” They could not believe her; they plied her with curious questions until, in self-defense, to get rid of their importunities, she confessed all she knew. “I found the verses on my window sill one morning in September--and afterward others just as pretty. And sometimes flowers, and now and then boxes of candy--real chocolates!” “Chocolates--oh!” breathed Lydia, with upturned eyes of ecstasy. “And you have devoured all the heavenly things by yourself, greedy little pig!” groaned Patty, jumping down from the table in disgust. “Oh, no; I’ll give you all some if you like,” cried Eva, running upstairs, followed by gran’ther’s entreaty: “Bring some more of that spark’s pretty rhymes!” All blushing and smiling, she returned with a large box of candy, and passed the plump, brown dainties all around. “Ain’t it nice, gran’ther?” she cried. “Best chocolate drops I ever ate,” he agreed, adding: “Did you bring some more poetry?” “Just one little piece. I didn’t want to make Patty sick again,” laughed Eva archly, and she handed it to Lydia, whose curiosity led her to follow Patty’s example, and read this aloud: “LOVE’S MESSENGERS.” “My heart is on each wind that blows Toward you, dearest, in the spring-- I send a message by the rose, My love, by every bird that goes Your casement near to lift and sing. “My heart is in the sun that shines Upon the ripples of your hair, The moonlight’s kisses bring you mine, Dream kisses upon lips divine, Love’s messengers are everywhere!” “Just as pretty as t’other piece; but I wonder who on airth writ it to you, Eva?” exclaimed gran’ther in admiring wonder at his pet’s mysterious lover. “I don’t know, gran’ther, but I feel sure I could find out if Cousin Tab would let me go out like other girls, and meet the young gentlemen of the neighborhood. It must be one of them, surely, and I do not believe he could keep his secret if we were face to face. His eyes must surely betray the love in his heart, and then I should know him for my heart’s choice, for I love him, whoever he is, and I am not ashamed to own it. I will never marry any one but my poet-lover!” declared Eva, with a willful toss of her bright curly head. “You are a silly little love-sick goose!” commented the spinster, with frank disapprobation. CHAPTER II.