Willcoxen, and clasping his knees,
still wept, as if her heart would break.
Thurston stooped and raised her, pressed the kiss of forgiveness on her
young brow, and then whispered:
"Miriam, have you forgotten that there is another here who claims your
attention?" took her by the hand and led her to Marian.
The young girl was shy and silent, but Marian drew to her bosom, saying:
"Has my 'baby' forgotten me? And so, you would have been an avenger,
Miriam. Remember, all your life, dear child, that such an office is
never to be assumed by an erring human creature. 'Vengeance is mine, and
I will repay, saith the Lord.'" And kissing Miriam fondly; she resigned
her to Paul's care, and turned, and gave her own hand to Thurston, who
conducted her to the carriage, and then returned for little Angel, who
all this time had sat demurely in a little parlor chair.
They were followed by Paul and Miriam, and so set forth for
Dell-Delight.
But little more remains to be told.
Thurston resigned his pastoral charge of the village Church; settled up
his business in the neighborhood; procured a discreet woman to keep
house at Dell-Delight; left Paul, Miriam and poor Fanny in her care, and
set out with Marian on their western journey, to select the site for the
settlement of her emigrant _proteges_.
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