n 



coming, was coming soon ! Was she coming, or was 

 he getting ready to go for her ? Here he had been 

 for nearly three weeks, his house-lot chosen, his 

 mind at rest, his heart beating faster with every sun- 

 rise. It was as plain as day that he knew was cer- 

 tain just how and just when something lovely was 

 going to happen. I wished I knew. I was half in 

 love with her myself, half jealous of him, and I, too, 

 watched for her. 



But she was not for me. On the evening of April 

 14, he was alone as usual. The next morning a pair 

 of phcebes flitted in and out of the windows of the pen. 

 Here she was. Will some one tell me all about it ? 

 Had she just come along and fallen instantly in love 

 with him and his fine pig-pen ? There are foolish 

 female birds ; and there are records of just such 

 love affairs; but this was too early in the season. 

 It is pretty evident that he nested here last year. 

 Was she his old mate, as Wilson believes ? Did they 

 keep together all through the autumn and winter, all 

 the way from Massachusetts to Florida and back ? Or 

 was she a new bride, who had promised him before 

 he left Florida ? If so, then how did she know where 

 to find him ? 



165 



