University of Virginia Library

36. CHAPTER XXXVI.
LAST WORDS.

EDITH did sustain the family on the products
of her little place. And, more than that, the
yield from her vines and orchard was so abundant,
that she aided Arden to meet the interest of the
mortgage on the Lacey place, so that Mr. Crowl could
not foreclose that Autumn, as he intended. She
so woke her dreamy lover up, that he soon became
a keen, masterful man of business, and, at her suggestion,
at once commenced the culture of small
fruits; she giving him a good start from her own
place.

Rose took the situation of nurse with Judge Clifford's
married daughter, having the care of two
little children. She thus secured a pleasant, sheltered
home, where she was treated with great kindness.
Instead of running in debt, as in New York, she was
able to save the greater part of her wages, and, in
two years, had enough ahead to take time to learn
the dressmakers' trade thoroughly, for which she
had a taste. But a sensible young mechanic, who
had long been attentive, at last persuaded her to
make him a happy home.

Mrs. Lacey's prayers were effectual in the case of
her husband, for, to the astonishment of the whole

neighborhood, he reformed, and became a consistent
member of the church. Laura remained a
pale home-blossom, sheltered by Edith's love.

With the blossoms she loved, Zell faded away in
the Autumn, but her death was like that of the
flowers, in the full hope of the glad Spring-time
of a new life. As her eyes closed and she breathed
her last sigh out on Edith's bosom, old Hannibal
sobbed:

“She's—a white rose—now—sure 'nuff.”

Arden and Edith were married the following
year, on the 14th of June, the anniversary of their
engagement. Edith greatly shocked Mrs. Allen by
having the ceremony performed in the garden.

“Why not?” she said, “God married a couple
there once.”

Mrs. Groody, Mr. and Mrs. McTrump, Mrs. Ranger,
Mrs. Hart and her daughters, and quite a number
of other friends, were present.

Hannibal stood by the white rose-bush, that was
again in bloom, and tears of joy, mingling with
those of sorrow, bedewed the sweet flowers.

And Malcom stood up, after the ceremony, and
said, with a certain dignity, that for a moment
hushed and impressed all present:

“Tho' I'm a little mon, I sometimes ha' great
tho'ts, an' I have learned to ken fra my gude wife
there, an' this sweet blossom o' the Lord's, that
woman can bring a' the wourld to God if she will.
That's what she can do.”