I  had  done  better  than  I  dreamed  of  doing  in  that  writing.
Here  was  Rachel  Melrose  set  in  her  true  light,  the  possi-
bility of  a  visit,  and  the  possibility  of  her  words  and
actions,  just  as  direct  as  a  prophecy  of  what  had  really
happened.  Oh!  it  cleared  away  every  reason  for  doubt.
Even  the  Rockport  of  Rachel's  rapturous  memory,  I  de-
clared I  detested  because  only  our  '^ Rockport"  meant
anything  to  me.  And  then  she  read  of  her  father's  dying
message.  It  was  the  first  time  she  had  known  of  that,
and  the  letter  in  her  trembling  hands  pulsed  visibly  with
her  strong  heart-throbs.    Then  came  the  closing  words:

"  Good-night,  my  dear,  dear  girl,  my  wife  that  is  to
be,  and  know  now  and  always  there  is  for  me  only  one
love.  In  sunny  ways  or  shadow-checkered  paths,  what-
ever may  come,  I  cannot  think  other  than  as  I  do  now.
You  are  life  of  my  life;  and  so  again,  good-night."

323


THE    PRICE    OF    THE    PRAIRIE

The  sun  was  getting  low  in  the  west  when  Marjie  with
shining  face  came  slowly  down  ClifiF  Street  toward  her
home.  Near  the  gate  she  met  my  father.  His  keen  eyes
caught  something  of  the  Marjie  he  had  loved  to  see.
Something  must  have  happened,  he  knew,  and  his  heart-
beats quickened  at  the  thought.  Down  the  street  he  had
met  Judson  with  head  erect  walking  with  a  cocksure
step.
The  next  day  the  word  was  brought  directly  to  him  that
Amos  Judson  and  Marjory  Whately  were  engaged  to  be
married.
