and in the delightful people I shall be associated with.  Mrs. Barnett is a woman whom you would dearly love, and her husband is of the pick of men.  Dr. Grant will spend the greater part of the year here, and Sweetapple Cove is bustling with the changes that are taking place.  A big schooner-load of lumber has just arrived, with a few workmen, to begin at once rearing the new hospital and the house the Grants are to build for themselves.

I am alone now, for the beautiful Snowbird has gone away, followed by fervent wishes for her safe journey home.

Very early yesterday little two-masted smacks began to arrive from neighboring outports, and the tiny harbor was crowded with them.  They fluttered out all their poor little bits of bunting, gaily, and the visitors wore their best clothes.  I doubt if so great a holiday ever took place before in this part of the island.  The Snowbird, from bowsprit to topmasts, and down again to the end of the long main-boom, was bright with waving signals and pennants.

The people were crowding on the little road, to see the bride come forth on the arm of her father.  Visions had come to me of her all in white, as all brides were clad whom I have ever seen before.  But she appeared in her garments of every day, as if she needed no finery to make her more beautiful in the eyes of all.  You should have seen her, little mother!  A wonderful woman indeed, straight and fairly tall, with frank, friendly eyes that always look straight at one.  Her voice has also notes that can be of exquisite tenderness, as I heard them in that poor little hut of Frenchy’s.  Her hair is a great, fine, chestnut mass in which are blended the most perfect hues of auburns and rich browns.  And withal she is exquisitely simple in her manner, utterly unaffected, and her laughter carries joy with it into the hearts of others.  The people here simply adore her, from the youngest child to the most tottering old dame.  And I am sure they love her not only for herself but also in gratitude for the happiness she is bestowing upon a man who has long ago made his way into their hearts.

She had insisted upon being married in this humble village, among the fishermen who had learnt to cherish her and her husband-to-be, and when we reached the little church it was already full to overflowing.  People stood on tiptoe at the open windows, and crowded at the door.  We all stood when she arrived with Mr. Jelliffe, and she walked to the little altar with smiles and friendly nods to all.

And then the service began, and Mr. Barnett was manifestly pale with emotion.  At first his voice was just the least bit husky, but soon it cleared as the majestic words fell from his lips.

I sat near Mrs. Barnett, who wept a little.  I could understand this, mother, for there was something that moved one’s heart in the beholding of that man and that woman, who had never given others aught but the best of themselves, preparing to continue hand in hand to make the world more beautiful for others.