tured within the sweep of its powerful beak. The disablement that followed bore testimony both to the strength, and the ferocity behind that glittering wild eye.
But seasons go fast, and happy days have swift endings. That sixth and last summer of Abel's good fortune ended in darkness. It had been evident from our first glimpse of Mrs. Goodfriend that year, that the tides of strength were ebbing. It was a struggle for them more or less all through the season, though it was only too evident that Abel's own eyes were not opened to the seriousness of the situation.
A stray sister-in-law was produced and persuaded to "see them along." Mrs. Goodfriend was away in a hospital for a time, a new doctor was called in, and so on. It was supposed that she was better, and no one was prepared for the suddenness with which, just the day before we were to have followed the migrating birds, she slipped the cables of life and was away.
Abel came over with the milk that evening as usual, but he himself was not as usual and never would be so again. Janet came to say,
