The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-09
"You do not expect the jog-trot life to

"You do not expect tho jog-trot life to
suit YOU
Not for long" lie does not sigh,
and yet there is a suggestion of sigh
in the voice in which he answers.
Whilst there are worlds to explore
you will never be content
His gray eyes rest on me. They do
not exactly smile: il would be difficult
TO correctly describe the expression IN
their depths. They rest on me with
long look: then he chances slowly away
at the slender rain-laden branches OF
the laburnum, which sway lightly in
the breeze and shake down showers OF
rain-drops which sparkle in the sun
light as they fall.
while life lasts. Nab. ! shall never
be content. is all he says; but his tone
has little thrill Of deep meaning. and
for moment my heart stands still.
then bounds forward at a passionate
speed that keeps me silent whether !
will or NJ.
For nine long years the record OF our
talk with one another has been record
Of safe commonplaces. impersona1. I'M
WHY Ah1sAs"iS
across that deser, of years have caught
a glance. tone. that has made me Won
der whether the love ! refused to take
Is dead? Nine years ago ! put happi-
ness away from me proudly. impetnous-
". For nine years have known regret,
loneliness. bitter heartache. To-day /
have. perhaps. too little pride. as nine
years ago had too much. If | thought
he still cared for me. his silence should
not stand between US: would let no
ceremonies. no conventionalities spoil
our lives.
why are you-not content?' asked.
Ny tone is steady with an effort.
He turns his head and half smiles at
me again. I'm another week" he says,
as one who has answered my question
and changes his tone. 1.-The laburnum
and lilac will both be in bloom"
YES"
And then we are both silent.
Ned. we have been friends SO many
years" plead, trying to speak easily,
frankly. pleasantly. in friendly fashion;
friends are useless if they can not
grumble TO one another. Twenty years
ago--fiiteen years ago-we used to pour
out to one another all our causes Of dis
content"
He looks before him for nearly min
ute before he answers.
..Since then" he says and pauses.
~ es.
I'VE have been both more and less
than friends.
Does that prevent our speaking-of
our troil1es to'each other?"
1T prevents my speaking Of one
trouble to you.' he answered, simply.
How my hands tremble. clasp my
fingers together. My heart is beating
SO fast and furiously that can scarcely
draw my breath; my thoughts leap for
ward To a.bbld resolye-a resolve too
bold to be womanly--a resolve SO bold
that dare not pause before speak.
Ned. once you said you loved me.
You have got over it-your love?'
The reserve. the silence of nine years
is broken. 1t is who have torn down
the barrier And yet have only partly
destroyed it: he would like to hastily
pile up the breach.
''One gets over most things, Nab. in
time" he says. But scarcely hear his
words: his voice has tremor which
makes my pulses beat with joy: his face
betrays that the time of which he
speaks has not yet come.
scarcely know what do. but know
that put out my hand and lay ie on his
arm.
Don't get over it. Ned say in the
lowest of tones: and then, having been
the boldest of women. | suddenly be-
come the silliest. and burst into flood
of hysterical. foolish tears.
And ten minutes later Ned and are
sitting together on the rustic seat; his
arm is around me and his strong clasp
holds me close to him.
"lou loved me nine years ago when
you refused me?" he says. incredulous-
ly. repeating a statement ! have just,
'twixt laughter and tears faltered forth.
YES: but thought you loved me out
of pity. thought you would easily for
get.
And thought my offer had hurt and
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