THEIR FIRST YEAR’S MARRIED LIFE. 
9 
altliougli she had her fears. She is such a 
giAAj ^ flighty thing, you know.” 
As soon as the snake was killed, the party 
dispersed, uttering thanks for the destruction 
of their enemy. Brown Thrush and his inam- 
orata, finding that secrecy was no longer possi- 
ble, went off together side by side. When 
they reached a quiet spot in the midst of a 
grove of spruces, they paused, and, showing 
Miss B. a comfortable mossy knoll for a seat, 
lie addressed her as follows : My dear Miss 
Brown, you are now probably convinced that 
further delay to our union is unnecessary. 
You have seen the unpleasant effects of keep- 
ing our engagement secret, and we can hence- 
forth expect nothing better unless we are 
united. Let us then proceed at once to the 
Hermit’s, and, with hearts beating with fond 
affection for each other, repeat the holy mar- 
riage vows of our sylvan rites.” 
Miss Brown at first objected to this sudden 
proposal ; but, as her remonstrances were only 
faint, she soon, with as much dignity as her 
loving little heart could command, permitted 
