180 THE SOUTH BAY. 



Katy was hardly out of sight of her front gate when 

 she heard a step she well knew. 



" Oh, Harry," she said, turning a pair of sorrow- 

 ftil eyes upon him, that shot reproachful torments 

 into his very heart. " How could you ? " 



The sentence was incomplete in its construction, 

 but complete enough in its effects ; it was enforced 

 with a little sob and made Harry about as con- 

 temptible a wretch, in his own esteem, as if she had 

 rehearsed a set speech of an hour's duration, depict- 

 ing his enormities. 



" I am so sorry, Katy. Do you forgive me, I have 

 been wretched?" This was a good tack, and being 

 borne out by his appearance and evident contrition, 

 went a long way towards securing his pardon. 



What exactly was said, the tones being low and 

 the faces close together, will never be discovered, 

 but light came back to Katy's eyes, color to her 

 cheeks, and a smile, if nothing more, to her lips ; 

 and ere the church was reached a happier couple 

 could not be found within it. Joy is doubly blessed 

 if preceded by sorrow, and only those who have 

 known its want can appreciate happiness. 



That Sunday evening, as had been his custom, 

 unbroken for many years till the last two weeks, 

 Harry presented himself at Mr. Goodlow's gate and 

 entered unannounced. It can hardly be said he 

 was wholly undisturbed, but outwardly exhibited 

 perfect composure, prepared to meet and deter- 

 mined to exhaust the worst. Courage dispels dan- 

 ger, .and there was nothing and nobody to meet 



