When Rod first saw her he could hardly believe his eyes.  Instantly the meaning of all the excitement of the past few days flashed upon his mind.  It was for her that the Britts had been getting ready.  He seemed almost dazed as he stood there watching the wonderful woman coming forward.  He joined the others in the cheer of welcome which the captain ordered to be given; he felt her hand grasping his, and saw the smile of pleasure upon her face.  But it all appeared like a marvellous dream, too good to be true.  He walked by her side with the rest of the scouts, and listened to her conversation with the captain.  But he said nothing, unless directly spoken to.  He was too happy for speech, and he preferred to remain silent that he might think over the joy which had so suddenly come into his life.  The singer held his hand that evening as he was about to leave the Anchorage.  He promised that he would come to see her every day, and then sped home to impart the great news to Parson Dan and Mrs. Royal.

There was considerable excitement throughout Hillcrest when it was learned that the famous Anna Royanna had come to the Anchorage to stay for several weeks.  It caused the greatest stir among the people from the city, especially the ones of the fashionable set.  They could not understand why such a woman should wish to take up her abode at the Anchorage, of all places.  To them, the Britts were very inferior people.  They knew the captain by sight and reputation, but his wife they had never met.

After a week’s hesitation and consideration, several women called upon Miss Royanna one fine afternoon.  But she was not in.  She spent most of her time with the scouts, so Mrs. Britt informed them.  She lived out of doors during the day, and in the evening was generally at the rectory.

The Royals were charmed with the singer.  She was so quiet and gentle, and made herself perfectly at home.  How her presence brightened up the house.  At times she played on the little piano, and sang several of her sweetest songs.

One evening when she was about to return to the Anchorage, a furious thunder-storm burst upon the land, accompanied by a torrent of rain.  It continued so long that the Royals were able to induce their visitor to remain all night.

“I am afraid that I shall give you too much trouble,” Miss Royanna told them.

“Oh, no,” Mrs. Royal hastened to assure her.  “It will be a great pleasure to have you.  There is one room which is always ready, and,” here her voice became low, “no one has slept in it for over thirteen years.  It was my son’s room,” she explained, seeing the look of surprise in her guest’s eyes.

As Mrs. Royal uttered these words, she turned and lighted a lamp, and, therefore, did not notice the strange expression which overspread Miss Royanna’s face.  Together the two went upstairs and entered the sacred chamber.