"Now, Alida," said Holcroft, as they drove away, "remember that we are two middle-aged, sensible people.  At least I'm middle-aged, and fairly sensible, too, I hope.  You'll need to buy some things, and I want you to get all you need.  Don't stint yourself, and you needn't hurry so as to get tired, for we shall have moonlight and there's no use trying to get home before dark. Is there any particular store which you'd like to go to?"

"No, sir; only I'd rather go over on the east side of the town where I'm not known."

"That suits me, for it's the side nearest home and I AM known there."

"Perhaps--perhaps you also would rather go this evening where you are not known," she said hesitatingly.

"It makes no difference to me.  In fact I know of a place where you'll have a good choice at reasonable rates."

"I'll go where you wish," she said quietly.

They soon entered a large shop together, and the proprietor said pleasantly, "Good evening, Mr. Holcroft."

"Good evening, Mr. Jasper.  My wife wants to get some things.  If you'll be good enough to wait on her, I'll step out to do two or three errands."

The merchant looked curiously at Alida, but was too polite to ask questions or make comments on her very simple purchases.  Her old skill and training were of service now.  She knew just what she absolutely needed, and bought no more.

Holcroft laid in a good stock of groceries and some juicy beef and then returned.  When Mr. Jasper gave him his bill, he went to Alida, who was resting, and said in a low voice, "This won't do at all.  You can't have bought half enough."

For the first time something like a smile flitted across her face as she replied, "It's enough to begin with.  I know."

"Really, Mr. Holcroft, I didn't know you were married," said the merchant. "I must congratulate you."

"Well, I am.  Thank you.  Good night."

A few moments later he and his wife were bowling out of town toward the hills.  Reaching one of these, the horses came down to a walk and Holcroft turned and said, "Are you very tired, Alida?  I'm troubled about you taking this long ride.  You have been so sick."

"I'm sorry I'm not stronger, sir, but the fresh air seems to do me good and I think I can stand it."

"You didn't promise to obey me, did you?" with a rather nervous little laugh.

"No, sir, but I will."

"That's a good beginning.  Now see what an old tyrant I am.  In the first place, I don't want you to say 'sir' to me any more.  My name is James.  In the second place, you must work only as I let you.  Your first business is to get strong and well, and you know we agreed to marry on strictly business grounds."

"I understand it well, but I think you are very kind for a business man."

"Oh, as to that, if I do say it of myself, I don't think it's my nature to be hard on those who treat me square.  I think we shall be very good friends in our quiet way, and that's more than can be said of a good many who promise more than they seem to remember afterward."

"I will try to do all you wish for I am very grateful."

"If you do, you may find I'm as grateful as you are."

"That can never be.  Your need and mine were very different.--But I shall try to show my gratitude by learning your ways and wishes and not by many words of thanks."

"Thank the Lord!" mentally ejaculated the farmer, "there's no Mrs. Mumpson in this case;" but he only said kindly, "I think we understand each other now, Alida.  I'm not a man of words either, and I had better show by actions also what I am.  The fact is, although we are married, we are scarcely acquainted, and people can't get acquainted in a day."

The first long hill was surmounted and away they bowled again, past cottage and farmhouse, through strips of woodland and between fields from which came the fragrance of the springing grass and the peepings of the hylas.  The moon soon rose, full-orbed, above the higher eastern hills, and the mild April evening became luminous and full of beauty.

A healing sense of quiet and security already began to steal into Alida's bruised heart.  In turning her back upon the town in which she had suffered so greatly, she felt like one escaping from prison and torture.  An increasing assurance of safety came with every mile; the cool, still radiance of the night appeared typical of her new and most unexpected experience.  Light had risen on her shadowed path, but it was not warm, vivifying sunlight, which stimulates and develops.  A few hours before she was in darkness which might be felt--yet it was a gloom shot through and through with lurid threatening gleams.  It had seemed to her that she had fallen from home, happiness, and honor to unfathomed depths, and yet there had appeared to be deeper and darker abysses on every side.  She had shuddered at the thought of going out into the world, feeling that her misfortune would awaken suspicion rather than sympathy, scorn instead of kindness; that she must toil on until death, to sustain a life to which death would come as God's welcome messenger.  Then had come this man at her side, with his comparatively trivial troubles and perplexities, and he had asked her help--she who was so helpless.  He had banished despair from her earthly future, he had lifted her up and was bearing her away from all which she had so dreaded; nothing had been asked which her crushed spirit was unable to bestow; she was simply expected to aid him in his natural wish to keep his home and to live where he had always dwelt.  His very inability to understand her, to see her broken, trampled life and immeasurable need as she saw it, brought quietness of mind.  The concentration of his thoughts on a few homely and simple hopes gave her immunity.  With quick intuition, she divined that she had not a whimsical, jealous, exacting nature to deal with.  He was the plain, matter-of-fact man he seemed; so literal and absolutely truthful that he would appear odd to most people.  To her mind, his were the traits which she could now most welcome and value.  He knew all about her, she had merely to be herself, to do what she had promised, in order to rest securely on his rock-like truth.  He had again touched a deep, grateful chord in speaking of her to the shopkeeper as his wife; he showed no disposition whatever to shrink from the relation before the world; it was evident that he meant to treat her with respect and kindness, and to exact respect from others.  For all this, while sitting quietly and silently at his side, she thanked him almost passionately in her heart; but far more than for all this she was glad and grateful that he would not expect what she now felt it would be impossible for her to give--the love and personal devotion ............