io About the Feathered Folk. 



prophecy be verified, ere the year 

 ran out. Such things do happen 

 now and then ! 



The Swallow came wheeling and 

 swinging through the air, the sun- 

 light flashing on his burnished 

 wings those beautiful wings, that 

 might be made of steel and air, so 

 strong and light are they ! His 

 mate swept with him in rapid 

 career, their twittering notes fall- 

 ing in a joyous patter of sound, and 

 ceasing suddenly, as they dashed 

 together under the eaves of the cart- 

 shed. 



Hannah knew what they sought 

 there. 



Last year's nest yet hung against 

 the angle of the rafters ; perhaps a 

 bit cracked and dusty, but a drier 

 and wholly more comfortable nest 

 than any newly built one could 

 prove. Just a little fresh lining, 

 just a little patching and shaping, 

 and there it would be, cosy and 



