And he--he married you after he saw you was blind ?" "It was a strange thing for a man to do," said Mary Gage, slowly.
"Yes,--but fine." "I'm glad you've done so well.

This will settle a heap of things, won't it, Mary ?" "Some things." The step of Doctor Barnes was heard at the door.

Mary Gage called out, asking him to come in.

Some talk then followed about the domestic resources of the place, in which Annie was immediately interested.
"But I've got four hens," said Mary Gage, smiling.
"Well, it seems to be a right cheerful, friendly sort of place, don't it ?" said Annie after a while, "where they come in and kill the cattle and horses and burn the house, and run away with people!" She was looking at the burned door jamb of Sim Gage's cabin as she spoke.
Doctor Barnes had told her the story of the raid.
"Who's _that_ coming in ?" she remarked after a time, having caught sight through the window of an approaching figure.
"That's your neighbor, Wid Gardner," said Doctor Barnes.
"He's taller than some," said Annie after a time.

"Gee, ain't he plain! And ain't he sunburned!" Wid Gardner himself presently approached the door, to be suddenly taken aback when he met the somewhat robust and blooming young person who had just arrived.
"You've knew Mrs.Gage for some time ?" he managed to say at last, to make conversation, after he also had declared himself pleased to meet the newcomer.
"Lived together for years," said Annie.