The Lady of North Star

“Why should it be audacious? Travellers are always welcome at North Star.”

“Well,” he answered smilingly, “he is a priest you know.”

For a couple of seconds she looked at him wonderingly, then comprehension came to her, and a blush mantled her face.

“It was very audacious of you,” she said. “Very! But – but – ”

“But what?” he asked.

“I am glad that – that – ”

“Yes?”

“That Father Doherty is a priest.”

She laughed with gladness as he stooped to kiss her; and when they resumed their way, she asked, “When will he arrive?”

“Tomorrow, I think.”

“So soon?”

“No – so long!” he corrected smilingly.

“And we shall have a winter honeymoon at North Star?”

“Yes!”

“That,” she said, “will be delightful!”

And as she spoke, through the trees the Lodge appeared in sight, and to them drifted a fragment of the boatman’s song —

“ – Till I go forth and bring it home,And enter and close my door —Row along, row along home, ci, ci!”THE END