"My husband,"
she murmured, low and shyly--it seemed so strange to call him that, so
almost bold and forward--"my dear, kind friend, to be neither hurt nor
angry at my foolish weeping."
"Not foolish, dear one, but perfectly natural and right. I understand it;
I who know so well what your father has been to you these many years."
"Father and mother both."
"Yes; tutor, friend, companion, confidant, everything. I know, dear little
wife, that you are sacrificing much for me, even though the separation
will be but partial. And how I love you for it, and for all you are to
me, God only knows."
The tears had ceased to flow; love, joy, and thankfulness were regaining
their ascendancy in the heart of the youthful bride; she became again
calmly, serenely happy.
The journey was accomplished without accident. They were favored with
warm, bright days, clear, starlit nights; and on as lovely an afternoon as
was ever known in that delicious clime, reached Viamede.
Great preparations had been made for their reception; banners were
streaming, and flags flying from balconies and tree-tops. Mr. Mason met
them at the pier with a face beaming with delight; Spriggs with a stiff
bow. A gun was fired and a drum began to beat as they stepped ashore; two
pretty mulatto girls scattered flowers in their path, and passing under a
grand triumphal arch they presently found themselves between two long rows
of smiling, bowing negroes, whose fervent ejaculations: "God bless our
dear young missus an' her husband!" "God bless you, massa an' missus!"
"Welcome home!" "Welcome to Viamede!" "We've not forgot you, Miss Elsie;
you's as welcome as de daylight!" affected our tender-hearted heroine
almost to tears.
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