* * * * *

Paul could not tell her then, nor for months afterward, that it was impossible to stop the search for the gold which was believed to be buried in the earth of the forest near the ruined cabin.  He waited till the forest was once more quivering with tender young leaves and the river was gentle and warm again—­and she had become his wife.  When he gently told her at last, she looked at him wonderingly like a child, and was silent for some time.  She knew so little about money or the eagerness for riches.  And then she smiled and said that she herself would certainly claim any gold belonging to Philip Alston that ever might be found, and that David and the Sisters and Father Orin and Toby should have the spending of it.

“For that is what he would like and we have no need of more, now that you are becoming famous.  We have all and more than we want.  Uncle Robert has plenty for himself and his sisters.  William will soon be going to Congress, if you and uncle Robert work hard for him.  Yes, David and the Sisters and Father Orin and Toby shall have dear uncle Philip’s gold.  He would wish them to have it.  Think how generous he always was to them and every one, and how kind to all.  If you only could have known him just a little longer, dear heart!  Knowing him better, you would have known, as I do, how truly he loved everything fine and noble and great.”

He did not reply but silently laid his hand on hers.  Sighing and smiling, she nestled closer to his side.  And then as they sat thus with their eyes on the glorious afterglow, the Angelus began to peal softly through the shadows, and the Beautiful River seemed in the softened light to curve its majestic arm more closely around this wonderful new country, from which a blighting shadow was lifted forever.