Chapter 24 CHAPTER XXIII.

AN ENCHANTING SCENE.–THE PARTING.

"The hearth is swept, the fire is made,

The kettle sings for tea."

It was the clear, honest voice of Deacon Palmer that fell on Tom's ear, and which he now heard for the hundredth time. Year in and out, at morning and night, the good man had sung this, his favorite song,–bachelor though he was, with silver