Kilmeny of the Orchard

understand how a person may be glad and sorry for the same thing? ”

She nodded again, with a return of her usual sweet composure.

“ Yes, I could not have understood once, but I can now. Did you learn your new lesson? ”

“ Yes, very thoroughly. It was a de- lightful lesson when I once understood it. I must try to teach it to you some day. Come over to the old bench, Kilmeny. There is something I want to say to you. But first, will you give me a rose? ”

She ran to the bush, and, after careful deliberation, selected a perfect half—open bud and brought it to him—a white bud with a faint, sunrise flush about its golden heart.

“ Thank you. It is as beautiful as—as a woman I know,” Eric said.

A wistful look came into her face at his words, and she walked with a drooping head across the orchard to the bench.

“ Kilmeny,” he said, seriously, “ I am

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