Ever since then the river has been eatn' away at this island.

It's only half as big as it wus onct, an' another flood will take away this sand-bar, these few birches--an' Milly's grave." The old frontiersman's story affected all his listeners.

The elder minister bowed his head and prayed that no such fate might overtake his nieces.

The young minister looked again, as he had many times that day, at Nell's winsome face.

The girls cast grave glances at the drooping birch, and their bright tears glistened in the fire-glow.