The dark and stately man stooped down , and , lifting the infant , restored him to his mother 's arms . `` The children , '' said he to himself , and sighed and smiled -- `` the children are to be my charge . '' And while a flow of natural feeling gushed like a well-spring in his heart he came to a dwelling which he could nowise forbear to enter . A sweet voice which seemed to come from a deep and tender soul was warbling a plaintive little air within . He bent his head and passed through the lowly door . As his foot sounded upon the threshold a young woman advanced from the dusky interior of the house , at first hastily , and then with a more uncertain step , till they met face to face . There was a singular contrast in their two figures -- he dark and picturesque , one who had battled with the world , whom all suns had shone upon and whom all winds had blown on a varied course ; she neat , comely and quiet -- quiet even in her agitation -- as if all her emotions had been subdued to the peaceful tenor of her life . Yet their faces , all unlike as they were , had an expression that seemed not so alien -- a glow of kindred feeling flashing upward anew from half-extinguished embers . `` You are welcome home , '' said Faith Egerton . But Cranfield did not immediately answer , for his eye had , been caught by an ornament in the shape of a heart which Faith wore as a brooch upon her bosom . The material was the ordinary white quartz , and he recollected having himself shaped it out of one of those Indian arrowheads which are so often found in the ancient haunts of the red men . It was precisely on the pattern of that worn by the visionary maid . When Cranfield departed on his shadowy search , he had bestowed this brooch , in a gold setting , as a parting gift to Faith Egerton . `` So , Faith , you have kept the heart ? '' said he , at length . `` Yes , '' said she , blushing deeply ; then , more gayly , `` And what else have you brought me from beyond the sea ? '' `` Faith , '' replied Ralph Cranfield , uttering the fated words by an uncontrollable impulse , `` I have brought you nothing but a heavy heart . May I rest its weight on you ? '' `` This token which I have worn so long , '' said Faith , laying her tremulous finger on the heart , `` is the assurance that you may . '' `` Faith , Faith ! ''
cried XXXXX , clasping her in his arms ; `` you have interpreted my wild and weary dream ! ''
Cranfield Egerton Faith Indian brooch embers first heart infant suns