Mrs. Asbury passed her arm affectionately around the girl’s waist.  Beulah looked at her with trembling lips, and said hastily: 

“Will you take me as a boarder?”

“I would rather take you as a friend—­as a daughter.”

“Not a bit of it, Alice.  She shall pay the highest possible board.  Don’t imagine, Miss Independence, that I expected for a moment to offer you a home gratis.  Pay board?  That you shall; always in advance, and candles, and fires, and the use of my library, and the benefit of my explanations and conversation charged as ‘extras,’” cried the doctor, shaking his fist at her.

“Then, sir, I engage rooms.”

“Will you really come, my child?” asked Mrs. Asbury, kissing the orphan’s pale cheek tenderly.

“Gladly, as a boarder, and very grateful for such a privilege.”

“Beulah, on reflection, I think I can possibly take Charon for half-price; though I must confess to numerous qualms of conscience at the bare suggestion of receiving such an ‘infernal’ character into my household.”

“Thank you,” said she, and saw them depart for Saratoga, whither Georgia and Helen had preceded them.  Several weeks elapsed without her receiving any tidings, and then a letter came giving her information of a severe illness which had attacked the doctor, immediately after his arrival in New York.  He was convalescing rapidly when his wife wrote, and, in proof thereof, subjoined a postscript, in his scrawling hand and wonted bantering style.  Beulah laughed over it, refolded the letter, and went into her little garden to gather a bouquet for one of her pupils who had recently been quite sick.  She wore a white muslin apron over her black dress, and soon filled it with verbena, roses, and geranium sprigs.  Sitting down on the steps, she began to arrange them, and soon became absorbed in her occupation.  Presently a shadow fell on the step; she glanced up, and the flowers dropped from her fingers, while an exclamation of surprise escaped her.

Mr. Lindsay held out his hand.

“After four years of absence, of separation, have you no word of welcome?”

She gave him both hands, and said eagerly: 

“Oh, yes; I am very glad to see you again; very glad that I have an opportunity of congratulating you on your signal success.  I am heartily glad my friend is soon to enter Congressional halls.  Accept my most sincere congratulations on your election.”

A sudden flush rose to his temples, and, clasping her hands tightly, he exclaimed passionately: 

“Oh, Beulah, your congratulations mock me.  I come to offer you, once more, my hand, my heart, my honors, if I have any.  I have waited patiently; no, not patiently, but still I have waited, for some token of remembrance from you, and could bear my suspense no longer.  Will you share the position which has been accorded me recently?  Will you give me this hand which I desire more intensely than the united honors of the universe beside?  Beulah, has my devoted love won me your affection?  Will you go with me to Washington?”