Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/287

Rh in the meantime with her parents, having her children with her, two boys and a girl, the youngest boy born just before the father left, and by degrees she lost almost all hope of ever again seeing her husband, whom she loved with all her heart. One day, however, the eldest boy exclaimed, “Here comes my father!” She could not believe him; she had for so many years waited in vain to hear from him. She, however, went out of the house to see the approaching stranger, and when she at a distance recognised her husband, she sank fainting to the earth. He had, after persevering exertions, succeeded in securing a livelihood as a carpenter in Florida, where he had built himself a cottage; and to this home it was, in the land of eternal summer, that he was taking his wife and children. The family were now on their way thither.

This new home lay on the banks of Lake Munroe; and there it was that the married pair would begin a new life. In that moonlight evening they kissed and rested one against the other, with the most heartfelt love and joy. He had a good and manly appearance. She had fine features, and had evidently been handsome, but seemed to have suffered from sorrow and hard labour. She could not be much above thirty, and he looked a few years younger than she. She rested her head upon his shoulder with an expression of deep confidence and peace. She needed no longer to labour alone for home and children, separated from her husband and surrounded by relations who neither esteemed nor loved him. He was with her; she had him now again, and what was still more, she had esteem for him as a man and a husband. He could and he would, from this time forward, provide for her and the children. He was taking her far far away from the dreary sand-hills, where she had suffered so much misery, to the blooming Florida; orange-groves would over-shadow her dwelling on the banks of the lake, and the summer winds of Florida call up fresh roses on her pale cheeks. All these delicious